Opening arguments in murder trial to begin today
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on April 12, 2017 8:40 AM
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News-Argus/SETH COMBS
Defense attorney for Alquan Hill, Tyrell Clemons, center, speaks with potential jurors during day two of jury selection Tuesday at Wayne County Courthouse. Opening arguments in the murder trial are scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Day two of Alquan Hill's first-degree murder trial wrapped up shortly after the jury for the case was seated Tuesday.
Court adjourned for the day when an alternate juror -- one of four -- did not return to the courtroom after the afternoon recess.
Superior Court Judge Jay Hockenbury recessed the court at about 4 p.m. and instructed the jurors and others in the court room to return at 4:20 p.m. so the court could hear opening arguments in the case.
Things did not go as planned.
At 4:30 p.m., Hockenbury entered into the record the events that had unfolded.
"After giving the jurors a late afternoon break -- they were supposed to be back and ready to come in the court room at 4:20 p.m. -- the bailiff informed the court that our alternate number three juror, who is an elderly gentleman, has not returned from the break," Hockenbury said.
Hockenbury had the clerk of court call the man's cell phone twice in an effort to reach him, but the call was sent straight to voicemail both times.
The judge instructed the clerk to call the alternate juror on his home phone later Tuesday evening to make sure he would be in court this morning.
Court recessed for the day around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Hill is accused of taking part in the Oct. 31, 2014, killing of a mother of three, Shanekqua Adriana Thompson.
He is allegedly part of a gang known as the "Kinston Six," and is the first of the group to stand trial on charges.
Hill is charged with first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and discharging a firearm into occupied property in conveyance and operation resulting in serious bodily injury.
Two of the other five men -- Cequon Aredale Phillips and Joshua M. Collins -- have already pleaded guilty to the charges levied against them and made a deal with the state under the expectation they testify against Hill.
Collins pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or seriously injure, second-degree murder and discharging a firearm into occupied property.
Phillips pleaded guilty to accessory after that fact of second-degree murder.
Also charged in the slaying are Rahmel Maurice Phillips, Anthony Graham and Davine Marquis Carr.
Jury selection took until about 4 p.m. Tuesday, as multiple potential jurors were dismissed by the defense attorneys, the state and by Hockenbury himself.
Juror seat number five saw six people dismissed before the seventh person called to the seat remained after being questioned by prosecutors and the defense team.
Hockenbury dismissed one potential juror for acting inappropriately in the court room.
The young man fidgeted in his seat, spun around in his chair, spun the juror chair beside him, put his feet up on the barrier and even fell asleep during court proceedings before being dismissed by Hockenbury.
As he left the court room after Hockenbury kicked him off the jury, he loudly said "Thank God" as he strode down the aisle and out of the courtroom.
This left juror seat number seven vacant, which was filled after three other people were dismissed and the prosecution and defense both settled on the fifth person to take the seat. The jury is made up of four men and eight women. Of the four alternate jurors, three are men and one is a woman.
Today's court session is expected to begin with opening arguments before getting on with the rest of the trial. Hill is being represented by Tyrell Clemons and Sherita Gooding. Prosecuting the case is assistant district attorney Davis Weddle.
Court will resume today at 9:30 a.m.