Trial begins in Mitchell Road murders

The three people charged with the murder of a man and woman on Mitchell Road in Warren County are on trial this week in Warren County Superior Court.

Jermanique Vashon Franklin, 26, Donovan R. Fitts, 23, and Deaundre Ross, 24, are facing a jury for the shooting murder of Tenecia Posley, 27, and Barry Johnson, 47, on March 4, 2015, at the home of Damian Calvin at 1637 Mitchell Road.

The trial began Aug. 21 with a long jury selection process, followed by opening statements by the District Attorney Bill Doupe´ and attorneys John Lewis of Martinez, representing Franklin; Lucy Bell of Thomson, representing Ross; and Keri Thompson of Gordon, representing Fitts.
Each attorney implored the jury to return a verdict that speaks the truth and look at each defendant individually.

The three defendants are on trial individually and as co-conspirators for malice murder, felony murder, burglary in the first degree, armed robbery, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, home invasion and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

“What happened on March 4, 2015 was brutal beyond belief,” Doupe´ said in outline the case to the jury. He said a witness saw a gray or silver truck parked at the sand pit on Mitchell Road. “It looked out of place and stood out like a sore thumb,” Doupe´ said. He said a witness also saw a black man run across the road and into the woods.

To read the entire article in The McDuffie Progress, click HERE.