CHARLESTON, W.Va – Jury selection is underway ahead of the trial of a teenager indicted in a 2024 Charleston robbery turned deadly.
Barack Williams, 15, appeared before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers Wednesday and faces charges of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery for the January 30, 2024, incident that occurred at the Tobacco and Pipe Shop on 7th Avenue, where Caden Martin, the 19-year-old store attendant, was shot and killed.
After brief discussions with counsel, Judge Akers moved forward with jury selection, to be followed by the hearing of pretrial motions, with testimony expected to begin this week.
Williams is alleged to have acted as a lookout while Bre’juan Williams-Hampton, the other 15-year-old charged in the case, shot Martin inside the store. Williams-Hampton pleaded guilty to the charges last September, was tried as an adult, and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility for parole in 15 years.
Williams, who is also being tried as an adult, pleaded not guilty in December 2024 and was originally set for trial in May, but several factors, including construction at the Kanawha County Judicial Annex and the need for time to prepare a co-counsel, resulted in the trial being delayed.
Court documents say an ice cream bar and vape products were both taken during the incident, with police finding an ice cream bar wrapper and a backpack that matched the one Williams-Hampton had in a garage at Williams’ home.
Additionally, gunshot residue was found on Williams’ hands after the incident.
Court officials said the trial is expected to take a few days.