After reviewing and comparing Corey's first trial proceedings transcript, which was also known as a 404B hearing that resulted in a mistrial, to his final trial proceedings transcript, I noticed several inconsistent and fabricated statements made by the states key material witness Deron Blanks, who was sworn in under oath to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

404B Hearing (Trial) November 15, 2021

• After defense counsel asked Blanks was he telling the truth or not his response was "what is the truth?". page 35
• Blanks alleges that Corey was previously shooting at him 6 or 7 different times from September 2017 through November 26, 2017. He said he did not remember the locations, dates, or the order that these allege shootings took place. (none of these allegations are relevant to Corey's case) page 39
• Defense counsel asked Blanks did he know Corey resided in the Charlotte area at the time of all the allege shootings and Blanks responded with "he has a twin" page 46
• Blanks was asked why he thought Corey was allegedly shooting at him and he responded by saying "he thinks I had something to do with his brothers death". Blanks was then asked did Corey ever reach out to him and tell him that and he said "no". He said he has never talked to Corey. pages 42 and 44

Final Trial August 30,2022

• Blanks tells the court "they robbed me". pages 1449-1450
• Blanks alleges Corey shot at him in 2016-2017 at four different locations which was Lee Street, Lewis Street, GP Road, MLK Street. pages 1473-1480
• District Attorney Sarah McPherson said "it doesn't matter if it's true or not". page 1507
• Blanks physically pointed to the road on a diagram he generated himself where he says Corey allegedly was shooting from on December 11, 2017. pages 1548-1550
• Defense counsel cross examined Blanks and indicated that on the same diagram that Blanks used to point out where Corey was at when he allegedly shot at him, there was absolutely no shell casings in that area. In fact, all the shell casings were directly beside the building. pages 1561-1562
• Blanks confirming all the charges he received in 2017-2019
• Defense counsel informing the court on all the charges Blanks got dismissed by the state to give his false testimony. pages 1584-1587
• Judge Tiffany Powers informing the District Attorneys that there's not enough evidence. pages 1512
• District Attorney Sarah McPherson made a comment during trial saying "so there are some things that Mr. Blanks said under oath on the stand today and there's some things that he did not say". She also said "There was some testimony that he has taken the stand before but none of that testimony at this trial from the 404B hearing has come out either". pages 2127-2128

The states theory is that the motive or cause of this allege matter transpired because Corey's brother was killed but there was no evidence supporting that speculated theory. 
Blanks testimony was that Corey and his brother allegedly shot at him prior to Corey's brother passing away but if the shooting occurred beforehand how can that be motive? The motive that the District Attorney constructed and painted for the jury to hear is nonsensical and contrary to common sense and logic. To say that this shooting started as a result of Corey's brother passing away is inconsistent with the states theory that Corey had a reason or motive to kill Blanks.

During the first trial, Blanks testified to 6 or 7 different shootings between September 2017 and November 26, 2017 and he didn't know any locations, dates, or details of any of them. Fast forward to the final trial where Blanks testimony changed to 4 different shootings prior between 2016-2017 and details that he all of a sudden could remember. Corey resided in the Charlotte area when all of these allege shootings transpired and also had an alibi and phone records to prove he was not at that location at the time a crime was committed. 

Blanks testimony was in fact material because the states case relied heavily and depended entirely on his testimony. Without it there could not have been an indictment or evidence to carry to the jury. His credibility as a witness was therefore an important issue in the case and any previous testimony under oath would be relevant to his credibility. The jury was unable to access the credibility of Blanks and also unable to know in detail what his previous testimony was under oath which impacted their judgment and allowed the prosecution to allow false narratives to be created at trial. Had the jury been apprised of the true facts, they would've had the opportunity to conclude that Blanks had fabricated testimony in order to curry the favor of the representative of the state. Statements were made that wasn't made at the 404B Hearing that prejudice Corey to have a fair and impartial trial. 

At the 404B Hearing, Judge Douglas Sasser instructed District Attorney Heath Nance to prepare a proposed order consistent with the testimony elicited from the hearing do to it resulting in a mistrial. The order is initially a motion of the 404B hearing, so everything that was testified to had to be included. According to the District Attorney's, they failed to prepare the proposed order prior to the trial and also failed to comply with the judges rulings. The order never never even made it to signature which opened the door for manifested prejudice. 

We felt that this update was necessary to show the injustice and fabricated statements that were made just to wrongfully convict Corey. There are plenty more inconsistencies and errors within Corey's case but these are the primary issues that impacted it. We do hope that everyone reads this update and continue to share and sign this petition!