CHARLESTON, W.Va. — One of two suspects in a 2017 murder in Charleston pleaded guilty Tuesday in Kanawha County Circuit Court.
Jayrionte Thomas, 20, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to first degree murder in the death of Terrell Davenport, 27, of South Charleston. Davenport was shot inside the West Side Market & Deli on 7th Avenue in Charleston on Dec. 14, 2017, after a verbal argument.
According to police, Davenport was shot inside the business by Thomas and fell to the ground once outside. Thomas had a gun when he came out of the building. A co-defendant, Marcus Young, allegedly shot Davenport in the head while he was on the ground. Davenport died the next day.
Thomas was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Detroit in the days after the shooting.
As part of his plea deal with prosecutors, Thomas, who was 18 when he was arrested, will testify against Young at his upcoming trial. If he gives truthful testimony prosecutors will recommend a he be sentenced to life in prison with mercy, giving him a chance for parole after 15 years.
Young, 20, is scheduled to go on trial beginning Monday.