Ex-Boyfriend Found Guilty in 2021 Eagle View Drive Killing

Prosecutors say obsession led to the murder of Trasbin Campbell.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:36pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single piece of physical evidence from the crime scene, such as a bullet casing or a knife, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic without depicting any actual violence, weapons, or victims.Forensic evidence from the Eagle View Drive murder case exposes the grim details of the violent crime.Clarksville Today

A Montgomery County jury has convicted John Edward Bean IV of first-degree murder and other charges in the 2021 killing of Trasbin Campbell on Eagle View Drive. Prosecutors argued that Bean's obsession with his ex-girlfriend, Erica Lee, who was Campbell's girlfriend, led to the murder. The defense claimed it was a case of mistaken identity, but the jury deliberated for about two hours before returning the guilty verdict.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and stalking, and the need for stronger protections for victims of these crimes. The prosecution argued that Bean's obsession with his ex-girlfriend led him to commit a brutal murder, underscoring the importance of addressing obsessive and controlling behavior in relationships.

The details

Prosecutors presented evidence that Bean, 44, was wearing a black ski mask, black clothing and gloves during the attack, and that forensic testing found gunshot residue on these items. They also said Bean's daughter testified that he had her bring her house key the day before the killing, and that the key was later found to have the victim's blood on it. The defense argued that Lee misidentified Bean in the dark and that the timeline was too tight for him to have committed the crime, but the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution.

  • On March 27, 2021, Trasbin Campbell was killed at his home on Eagle View Drive.
  • On April 7, 2026, a Montgomery County jury convicted John Edward Bean IV of first-degree murder and other charges related to the killing.
  • Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2026 at the Montgomery County Courts Center.

The players

John Edward Bean IV

A 44-year-old man who was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in the 2021 killing of Trasbin Campbell. Prosecutors argued that his obsession with his ex-girlfriend, Erica Lee, led to the crime.

Trasbin Campbell

The victim who was killed in his home on Eagle View Drive in 2021.

Erica Lee

The ex-girlfriend of John Edward Bean IV and the girlfriend of Trasbin Campbell at the time of the killing. She testified that she recognized Bean's eyes and voice during the attack.

Jonae

The daughter of John Edward Bean IV, who testified that her father told her to bring her house key the day before the killing.

Robert Nash

The District Attorney General who prosecuted the case and argued that Bean's obsession led to the murder.

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What they’re saying

“This was obsession. So much so that Erica Lee had to get an order of protection against Mr. Bean.”

— Robert Nash, District Attorney General

“This is a case of mistaken identification. John Bean has been falsely accused.”

— Crystal Lewis, Defense Attorney

What’s next

Sentencing for John Edward Bean IV is scheduled for June 16, 2026 at the Montgomery County Courts Center, where he faces a mandatory life sentence for the first-degree murder conviction.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for stronger protections and support systems for victims of domestic violence and stalking, as well as the importance of addressing obsessive and controlling behavior in relationships before it escalates to violence.