HONESDALE, Pa. — A Wayne County man is on trial for murder, accused of shooting a woman in the head over drugs and money.
Cole Dufton of Pleasant Mount arrived at the Wayne County Courthouse Tuesday morning for day two of his trial for the murder of Suzette Bullis in 2018.
Witness and expert testimony was presented to a jury of seven women and five men.
According to court papers, Dufton shot Bullis in the head in her home near Lakewood. Her body was discovered in the afternoon of December 19, 2018.
Dufton is said to have bought pills from the victim in the past and had recently visited her in the weeks prior to her death, yelling about being shorted $1,500 over drugs.
Dufton suffered a severe electric shock in an accident in October of 2017, and the defense says the pain medications that were prescribed to him were no longer effective, and that’s why he sought pills from Bullis, who he referred to as an aunt, although they are not related.
Forensic experts testified about the evidence found in Bullis' home that included more than 100 pill bottles, a 9 mm shell casing, and the bullet that killed Bullis. They also testified about the discovery of a 9 mm gun and bullets in Dufton's bedroom that matched evidence in the victim’s home, a gun that was a major part of witness testimonies, including that of Dufton’s former girlfriend.
Prior witness testimony indicated it was she who purchased the gun for herself on October 17, 2018.
The ex-girlfriend admitted that she filled out the paperwork for the gun because Dufton didn’t have a valid ID, but he paid for the gun.
She also recalled the night before Bullis' body was discovered on December 19, Dufton went to Bullis to buy pills, but the ex-girlfriend wasn’t sure if he had taken the gun with him.
The trial is expected to go to the jury for deliberation on Wednesday.