DECATUR - A trial for two men implicated in the shooting earlier this year of Thomas H. Slaughter got under way Tuesday in Macon County Circuit Court.

Deeandre J. Woodland, 27, and Randy C. Hubbert, 23, face charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon in connection with the Feb. 11 incident in which Slaughter was shot in the left eye and through the nose.

He later sought treatment for his facial wounds at St. Mary's Hospital.

Decatur police officers say that Slaughter told them at the hospital that Woodland was one of his shooters and identified Hubbert as the other man involved in the shooting after he was presented with a photo lineup.

Slaughter took the witness stand for the prosecution Tuesday and testified he had been in the area of Wood and 23rd streets about 5:30 p.m. Feb. 11 to talk about a vehicle sale when a disagreement flared.

Slaughter testified that when a fight ensuedm he saw Hubbert shoot at him but miss. As Slaughter backed away from the car to try to run away, he said he then saw Woodland pull out a gun and begin shooting at him. He said he did not know which man's shot or shots may have hit him.

Under cross-examination, Slaughter stated several times he did not recall certain aspects of interviews he conducted with police officers following the incident when pressed on some details by Assistant Public Defender Karen Root, Hubbert's defense attorney.

Slaughter said the reason he had difficulty remembering many aspects of those conversations is that he was interviewed by police in his hospital room at the same time he was on medication and being treated for his injuries, which were so severe he could not see with whom he was talking.

Assistant Public Defender Scott Rueter, Woodland's defense attorney, also questioned Slaughter about alleged conversations with Woodland's friends and family when the possibility of Slaughter not testifying in exchange for $5,000 was discussed.

Slaughter testified he never took a bribe and only ever discussed the possibility of accepting money because he felt intimidated.

Assistant State's Attorney Tammy Wagoner also called some Decatur police officers to testify about blood that was found at and near where the shooting occurred before resting its case.

The attempted murder and aggravated battery charges are punishable by six to 30 years in prison if Woodland and Hubbert are convicted of the Class X felonies. They would be eligible for an additional penalty of 25 years behind bars, if convicted, because of guns allegedly being used in the incident.

The defense will present its case today.

Mary Tallon can be reached at mtallon@herald-review.com or 421-7984.