Darryl Roberts

The trial of the man accused of murdering a prominent local businessman outside Patten Towers has been set for April next year.

A pretrial hearing will be held on February 10 for Darryl Roberts, 58, who is accused of murdering Christopher Wright.

Judge Boyd Patterson is presiding over the case.

Police said Roberts shot the victim after an argument in the 1000 block of Market Street. At 11:51 p.m., officers responded to a shots fired call that was turned into a person shot. When officers arrived, they found the 38-year-old victim with a life-threatening gunshot wound.

Chattanooga Fire and Hamilton County EMS responded to the scene. The victim died from his injuries.

Police reviewed video of the incident and said Roberts was wearing a red shirt and dark trousers and was talking to another man near the stairwell at Patten Towers. They said the video shows Chris Wright walking past the two men, then turning to talk to them. It then moved away from them about 30 feet to the south, then turned towards them again, but did not approach them.

Roberts then walked up to Chris Wright, pulled out a gun and shot him in the head at close range. The victim fell to the ground.