CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — The trial of two relatives involved in a shooting during an argument in Clarksburg has been delayed.
Donald Richardson Jordan, 25, of Grove City, Ohio and Willie Edwards Dukes, Jr., 47, of Clarksburg, were originally scheduled to stand trial beginning March 23.
However, Judge Thomas Bedell order a postponement after Jordan appeared Tuesday without a lawyer and the prosecution cited communication problems.
The original attorney defending Jordan asked off the case and, according to Jordan, a new attorney has been acquired.
A status conference was set for April 10, when Bedell will determine if the trial will need to be pushed to the next term of court.
Between the two, the nephew and uncle are facing four counts of Wanton Endangerment Involving a Firearm, one count of Brandishing a Deadly Weapon, one count of Assault During the Commission of a Felony, one count of Malicious Assault and two counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance.
In August, Jordan allegedly shot Dukes and Dukes’ daughter Durrell Dukes, 27, multiple times on Jackson Avenue after midnight with a .45 automatic pistol. Dukes, who is a convicted felon, returned fire with a .357 magnum.
The accused are being tried together.