By BRAD GASKINS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Closing arguments in Bart Johnson’s capital murder trial will begin at 2:30 p.m., after the state called three rebuttal witnesses earlier Wednesday.

The state’s last witness worked with Johnson for four days – from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, 2009 – during a grand opening at a Fred’s pharmacy in Bayou LaBatre.

Stacie Shipman is the pharmacist in charge there, and Johnson was sent to instruct her and others on operating procedures.

“He kept me going,” Shipman said of Johnson, also a pharmacist. “He seemed pretty energetic.”

Shipman testified she never observed Johnson taking any medication, complain of headaches, exhibit signs of anxiety or extreme stress or complain or exhibit signs of a sleep disorder.

Under cross-examination by the defense, Shipman conceded she was only with Johnson during operating hours inside the store. She said she never saw him after work hours or during breaks.

Asked by the state if anxiety is a common side effect of Imitrex, Shipman responded no. The defense alleges the prescription drug to treat migraine headaches was a contributing factor in what defense attorneys argue was a mental illness.

Johnson has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

Johnson and Shipman, she testified, left Fred’s at the same time on Dec. 3, 2009. As the two walked to the parking lot between 8 to 8:30 p.m., Shipman said she said bye to Johnson, who was to leave and return to his Kimberly home.

“I don’t know if I’ll make it all the way home tonight,” Shipman recalled Johnson saying.

Later that night, at 11:57 p.m., Johnson allegedly shot and killed Pelham Police officer Philip Davis during what started as a routine traffic stop in a construction zone.