Murder defendants’ trial dates coordinated / LJWorld.com

Archive for Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Staff reports

October 7, 2009

Murder trial delayed

A trial in the death of a Lawrence hip-hop artist has been delayed until May. Enlarge video

A trial has been delayed until May for two men charged with first-degree murder in the death of a Lawrence hip-hop artist.

Douglas County District Judge Robert Fairchild granted a prosecutors’ request to delay the trial for Durrell Jones, 24, Kansas City, Kan. Previously, the trial for Jones’ co-defendant — Major Edwards, 30, Lawrence — had been delayed until May because his attorney withdrew from the case because of a conflict.

Both men are charged in the October 2006 death of 28-year-old Anthony Vital, whose body was found on a private country lane 2 miles west of Lawrence. Vital died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Prosecutors were seeking the delay so the cases could be tried back-to-back.

Jones’ attorney objected to the continuance, because she’s moving to Florida at the end of the year. Fairchild granted the request and could require the district attorney’s office to pay for Jones’ attorney to return to the area to try the case.

Edwards’ trial is scheduled for May 3; Jones’ case will be heard May 17.

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artichokeheart (anonymous) says…

Talk about dragging a case out.
October 7, 2009 at 6:32 a.m.
flux (anonymous) says…

I like how they keep attaching the "hip hop" , title to his name as if its relevant. Was he a paid professional, or just very enthusiastic about music? Regardless, I hope they throw the book at them.
October 7, 2009 at 11:45 a.m.
hujiko (anonymous) says…

Let's hope we see the maximum penalty available as the sentencing, no more slaps on the wrist.
October 7, 2009 at 3:10 p.m.
Motivation (anonymous) says…

I'm sorry to hear this, and hope the Jones and Edwards family is okay? I've known several people involved, and most of them have started moving on with their lives.

This is typical of Lawrence though. They will drag out the case as long as possible. The judicial system in this town definitely needs some restructuring.

My prayers go out to all involved.
October 7, 2009 at 10:48 p.m.
Tbaby09 (anonymous) says…

Motivation....I am glad to see that instead of being so concerned with every other aspect of this situation, you too are worried how the families involved are doing. But most of them are doing great, seeing the circumstances, but doing the best they can. So thank you for that.

Now to the others that feel so bad toward Major, they keep pushing this back, cause they really dont have a case. Nothing so far has been admissable, at least not much of it. Witnesses have been unreliable and caught lying, some evidence was seized without proper methods you could say, and the truth will come out on May 17. The most Major is guilty of in this offense that was done on his "friend clacc" was being in the car with Jones.

Major is a great person, a great friend and yes drugs can make a person do things they wouldnt normally do, but on the other side of that when he was sober, he was the best person to be around.
March 21, 2010 at 8:59 p.m.