Triple Murder trial of Michael Andrew Loper

Prosecutor Ashley Rich called Ryan Mitchell to the stand on Tuesday morning. Mitchell is the brother-in-law of Michael Andrew Loper, known to his friends as 'Drew' or 'Andrew.' Mitchell testified he was with Loper, in his truck, when Loper raged down Highway 45 after missing a fight at a Citronelle School parking lot and having an object thrown at his truck.

Loper has been charged with three counts of murder in the deaths of Mary Allyson Baker, and Brandon and Matt Willis. The three were inside the vehicle driven by Baker when it was allegedly forced off the road by Loper's Ford truck.

Mitchell testified to being Loper's brother-in-law. He said he was with him in his truck along with Kristen Sanders, who was reportedly the girlfriend of the married Loper.

Both Mitchell and Sanders testified they were in Loper's truck when Loper left a Citronelle School parking lot to follow two vehicles, one of which they said had thrown something at his truck. Kristin Sanders said she only looked at the speedometer once and it read 100 mph as they traveled down Highway 45.

In front of them was Mary Allyson Baker in a Ford Explorer. Defense attorney's raised the question that it was possible that Baker had swerved in front of Loper as he tried to pass the vehicle, causing a tragic traffic accident, but not murder.

Both Mitchell and Sanders testified they both shouted for Loper to stop. After the crash, they both said they passed the accident scene at least twice. Once the Baker vehicle was off the road, they continued at least another half mile down Highway 45. They testified that Loper turned around and traveled again by the accident scene but it was dark. Sanders said she was looking in the wrong direction when they passed it. Mitchell said he had his head in his hands and was rocking back and forth--scared.

Sanders testified she received text messages from Loper the morning after the crash, pleading with her not to reveal his involvement in the crash. She was on her way to the police department, she said.

Prosecutor Ashley Rich questioned both witnesses about how much Loper had had to drink. She plans to call more witnesses who came in contact with Loper on that night, plus state trooper and forensic testimony relevant to the crash. She plans to rest her case Wednesday morning.