Victims were stabbed, run over by a car.
Frederick, Md (KM) Witnesses were called to the stand on Tuesday in the trial of Delajhi Joyner. The 25-year-old New York City man is charged with two counts of 1st-degree murder for the deaths of Shondre Naylor, 36, and Jermaine Hill, 19, both of Frederick.
Joyner was arrested in November, 2017, for killing Naylor and Hill. State’s Attorney Charlie Smith says Joyner is accused of stabbing the two victims, and then running them over with a car. “It occurred in the early morning hours after an altercation occurred,” he says. “Ultimately, resulted in, unfortunately, both Mr. Hill and Ms. Naylor being stabbed in the neck at separate times, and, of all things, being run over by Mr. Joyner on two occasions when he was trying to flee the scene,” he says.
Both Naylor and Hill were pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred on Acacia Court in a neighborhood located just outside of Frederick.
Jury selection began on Monday, and was completed by Tuesday. Smith says both the prosecution and the defenses presented their opening statements. Joyner’s attorneys claimed their client acted in self-defense, and had been drinking the previous night.
Smith says the State began making its presentation and calling witnesses to the stand, which included the 911 audio. “as well as some officers who responded to the scene, including a person who saw what was happening as it went down.”
He expects the State to wrap up its case by early next week. Then the defense makes its presentation.
The courts will be closed on Wednesday as part of day of mourning for former President George H.W. Bush, who died last week. Joyner’s trial will resume on Thursday when the courts reopen.
By Kevin McManus