CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Opening statements will begin Tuesday morning in Kanawha County Circuit Court in a murder trial.
The 12-member jury was selected Monday afternoon for the trial of Marcus Young, 20, a co-defendant who allegedly shot Terrell Davenport,27, of South Charleston in December 2017. Davenport died the day after the incident.
According to police, Davenport was shot inside the West Side Market & Deli on 7th Avenue in Charleston after a verbal argument with Young and Jayrionte Thomas, 20, of Detroit. Police said Davenport was shot inside the business and fell to the ground once outside. Young then allegedly shot Davenport in the head while he was on the ground.
Thomas pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death last Tuesday in Kanawha County Circuit Court. As part of his plea deal with prosecutors, Thomas, who was 18 when he was arrested, will testify against Young at his trial.
If Thomas gives truthful testimony prosecutors will recommend he be sentenced to life in prison with mercy, giving him a chance for parole after 15 years.
Including the two alternates to the jury, it will be made up of eight men and six women. Opening statements are expected to begin around 9:30 a.m.