UPDATE THURSDAY: A big day in the courtroom on Thursday as Jalen Vines gave a long witness testimony. He’s the man who was with Brandon Council the days after the double murder and robbery up until the moment he got caught.

Council first met vines on August 22, 2017 outside of a plasma donation center across from Pirate Auto Sales in Greenville. According to Council’s video confession, he met Vines and offered him $100 to put a Mercedes Benz in his name. Vines said he took the offer due to needing the money. He would continue hanging out with Council until his capture on August 23rd.

The two spent the day of Aug. 22 shopping and hanging out. They went to the Greenville Mall where Vines said they went into a Dunham’s Sporting Goods store and purchased ammunition for a 22-caliber pistol. Vines testified that he never saw Council with the weapon. They would make a few other stops afterwards that included a Game Stop, pawn shop and a cell phone store.

Eventually, the men decided they wanted to bring two girls to the Economy Express Inn hotel in Greenville. Council had been staying at the hotel since the night of August 21st. The four drank alcohol and smoked marijuana until about midnight when Jalen and his girlfriend got picked up by Jalen’s older brother Brandon Black.

One of the women, Tamia Brown, testified in court this morning and said her and the other woman were both under age 18 at the time. FBI evidence of Council’s birth certificate showed he was 32 on that date.

Council would stay at the hotel that night with Tamia’s best friend, Shamyra until the following morning. The two then met up with Jalen Vines once again, and Council decided he wanted to find a different hotel.

The group first heads to a Super 8 in Greenville but are unable to get a room due to Jalen not being old enough. He was only 18 at the time. In a second attempt, they try the Baymont Inn also in Greenville. Vines said after going inside to ask about the room, they come back out to discover police by the vehicle.

Vines said he asked Council, “Do you have a warrant for your arrest?” and Council responded, “No” before running away. Police would tackle him down a few moments after.

Police detained Vines and interviewed him at the Greenville Police Department, but he was let go. FBI Agent Mike Connelly said Vines has cooperated with agents in the investigation.

While on the stand, prosecutors asked Vines how Council acted during those days, Vines said “I never saw him crying. He just seemed cool and laid back.”

The government rested in the sentencing trial on Thursday. The judge decided to give the jurors the day off on Friday, so court will resume on Monday morning. The defense will begin with their witnesses.

Count on News13 for updates as testimony continues in the Council’s sentencing phase for the death penalty.

FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Family members of a CresCom bank murder victim spoke Wednesday during the penalty phase of Brandon Council’s trial.

Tracey Skeen spoke about how he met Katie, and the day he found out Katie was killed.

“She was full of life and made you keep a smile on your face at all times,” Tracey said when asked about his wife’s personality.

He said she kept their home clean, managed the bills, cooked and took great care of their two boys.

“I’ve tried for two years, and I still can’t do what Katie was able to do,” he said.

Prosecutors also showed photos of Tracey and Katie’s wedding day and of Katie with their two children.

When Katie’s oldest son found out about her death he went to Instagram to describe his feelings, saying “you never realize what coming home and being with your mom is really like, until you no longer can.”

Davis took the stand after Tracey and described Katie as being a “daddy’s girl.” She said Katie’s death has left a void in their family.

“There’s a missing piece and you talk around it and try not to bring it up. Even at my Christmas dinners, there’s those signs and you kind of tip toe around it,” Davis said.

Davis said there’s one thing she wish she would’ve told her daughter before she died.

“I told her everyday I loved her, but I never got to tell her how proud I was of her,” Davis said.

Laura Davis also took the stand Wednesday. She described getting close to Katie after her own son Miles Davis died in 2016 from a gun accident.

According to Davis, Katie helped put together a foundation in his honor called “Miles for Miles” within a month of his passing.

“She created not only the foundation, but an annual scholarship in his memory,” Davis said.

Donna Major was also killed in the bank robbery in Conway in 2017. Prosecutors will also present victim impact testimonies from her family members and friends.

The prosecution’s final testimonies on Wednesday dealt with Council’s robberies in North Carolina.

An employee from the Food Lion in Raleigh talked about how he stole $345.56 from the store. The teller from the BB&T in Wilson also gave testimony, and said Council robbed $2,676 by using a note.

Council handed the woman the note which said, “This is a robbery give me the money with no security devices, or I will hurt you.”

Prosecutors showed jurors surveillance footage from both crimes.

Court will continue Thursday. Count on News13 to bring you all updates.