A man from Brunswick County could face up to 43 years in prison after being found guilty of murder in the shooting deaths of two men in South Hill. Jadeen Person of White Plains was convicted of second degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony for the fatal shooting of Demarcus Antonio Williams Jr. of Freeman. Person’s brother, Kevin Edmonds of Rawlings, was also killed in the incident, but Person was not charged with his death.
During the trial, Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Nash presented evidence that suggested Edmonds was likely killed by Williams in self-defense. Nash also revealed that Person repeatedly lied about the events leading up to the shooting deaths. Person initially claimed that Williams broke into his residence to rob him and that he shot Williams in self-defense. He later changed his story, stating that he shot Williams in defense of his brother during a scuffle.
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However, the evidence presented by Nash and deputy prosecutor Brian Butler painted a different picture. It was revealed that Person had lured Williams to the house with the intention of robbing him. Williams and another man had gone to the house to sell marijuana when they were let inside by Person, who was wearing a mask. Shortly thereafter, another masked individual appeared and shot Williams. Williams managed to fire one shot before being shot multiple times by the masked man.
Royal, the other man present during the incident, testified that he fled the house in search of help and came across an off-duty police officer. When police arrived at the scene, they found Williams dead and Edmonds seriously injured. Edmonds later died from his injuries while in surgery.
Two other individuals present at the house during the shooting were not involved in the gunplay, while a third man allegedly moved the firearms away from the scene. Thomas Person, Jadeen’s brother, has been charged with possession of a firearm by a violent felon and is awaiting trial.
Jadeen Person initially denied any knowledge of or prior contact with Williams but eventually admitted to firing his weapon at Williams. However, the jury rejected his claims of self-defense and convicted him of second degree murder. Person, who had been free on bond, was ordered to be held at Meherrin River Regional Jail until his sentencing date on February 9.
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If sentenced to the maximum punishment, Person could face 43 years in prison, including a mandatory minimum sentence of three years for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The jury, which consisted of an equal number of men and women and a mix of African American and white jurors, chose the second degree murder charge over other options such as first-degree premeditated murder or aggravated manslaughter.
