Defense Admits Joshua Cummings Killed RTD Security Guard

DENVER (CBS4)- A man is on trial for gunning down an RTD security guard nearly one year ago. The defense for Joshua Cummings admits he was the shooter.

He is accused of shooting and killing Scott Von Lanken, a security guard with the Regional Transportation District near Union Station.

The defense hasn't tried to deny that Cummings was the gunman because of ballistic evidence, surveillance footage and multiple witnesses. What they are trying to prove is that Cummings didn't plan to kill Von Lanken and shouldn't be convicted of first-degree murder.

Von Lanken was working the night shift at Union Station when two women stopped to ask for help.

One of the women Von Lanken was helping testified Tuesday morning that Cummings held a gun to his head and said "Do exactly as I say." Cummings shot and killed Von Lanken a few seconds later.

The defense is trying to argue that the statement "Do exactly as I say" doesn't indicate premeditation.

Days after the shooting, he told CBS4's Rick Sallinger he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

If the defense can convince the jury that Cummings didn't plan to kill that night, he will face a lesser charge of second-degree murder.