Testimony in the trial of Charles Kelvin Johns got underway Wednesday in Pike County Circuit Court.

Johns is charged with kidnapping 1st degree, a class A felony, and possession of a concealed weapon, a class C felony.

On Jan. 14, 2002, Johns entered the Pike County Courthouse, took a security guard hostage at gunpoint and demanded to see Probate Judge Bill Stone. Stone, at the time, said Johns was involved in a land ownership dispute and wanted access to certain probate records.

No one was injured in the incident, and Johns was apprehended by the Pike County sheriff's deputies after negotiations.

If convicted of a felony, he faces life imprisonment with the possibility of parole under Alabama's Habitual Felony Offender Act. Johns has five prior felony convictions on drug-related charges.

Among witnesses the state brought to the stand today was Peggy Scott, the security guard Johns allegedly forced at gunpoint into the probate court offices in the Pike County Courthouse who described Johns' actions that day.

From the witness stand, Johns today admitted his actions, but said he did it only to gain access to the records he sought.

Defense attorney Thomas Brantley of Dothan said he expected to conclude presentation of defense testimony today.