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Issiah Ross trial: Man accused of 2022 double homicide claims self-defense as case moves forward

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Last updated: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 10:24AM GMT
Family emergency prompts recess in brisk-moving Issiah Ross trial

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Nearly four years after the deaths of Lyric Woods and Devin Clark in Orange County, the man charged is being tried. The trial started on Wednesday, Jan. 14, after the jury and alternates were seated.

Issiah Ross, 21, is accused of murdering the two teens in September 2022. Ross was 17 when he allegedly committed the crime; however, he is being tried as an adult. He has pleaded not guilty and is claiming self-defense in the case.

After rejecting a plea bargain offer on Monday, Jan. 12.

Download the ABC11 App for breaking news alerts and updates on this trial.

Motions that were granted on Monday include joining the charges into one trial, excluding witnesses from the courtroom with some exceptions, and Ross pleading that it was self-defense, although it was filed late, according to the prosecution.

New court filings show jurors may also hear from nine 'expert witnesses' that include an FBI special agent and a forensic scientist.

The judge said the trial could last two weeks.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 15, 2026, 5:20 PM GMT

OCSO captain reveals tip linking Issiah Ross to shooting

At 11:40 a.m., Walter Villa, an investigator with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, testified about his role during the 2022 incident and was excused at 12:11 p.m.

At 12:13 p.m., Jeff Ray, captain of OCSO's investigation division, took the stand. He reported receiving a phone tip from someone whose friend confessed to a shooting, which identified Issiah Ross as a suspect.

At 12:19 p.m., court goes to lunch. They will resume at 2 p.m.

ABC11's Cindy Bae contributed to this report.

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Jan 15, 2026, 5:20 PM GMT

Devin Clark was also shot multiple times: Expert

At 10:30 a.m., Dr. Rachel Scott, who performed both autopsies in this case, goes into detail about Devin Clark's autopsy.

In August, officials released a report for 18-year-old Devin, whose body was found with Woods on September 18, 2022. The report stated that Devin was shot six times.

At 10:43 a.m., court took a morning recess.

At 11:03 a.m., court returned. Dr. Scott proceeded to talk about her findings from the autopsy.

ABC11's Cindy Bae contributed.

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Jan 15, 2026, 3:07 PM GMT

Autopsy reveals Lyric Woods shot multiple times: expert

At 9:49 a.m., the first expert witness, Dr. Lauren Scott, associate chief medical examiner and specialist in forensic pathology, conducted an autopsy on Lyric Woods, 14.

The report indicated that Lyric was shot seven times near a power-line easement in the western part of the county.

At 10:01 a.m., Scott showed the jury autopsy photos, including images of a gunshot wound on the right side of Lyric's neck and "small red marks" on her cheek. Scott explained that these marks were caused by gunpowder particles.

"This indicates that the gunshot wound was close enough ... usually within a few feet of the victim," she told the courtroom.

ABC11's Cindy Bae contributed to this report.

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Jan 28, 2026, 6:33 PM GMT

Day 2 of trial underway

The second day of testimony in the trial of Issiah Ross began at 9:35 a.m. as the jury entered the courtroom.

Witness James Rogers was called to the stand. He resides about 150 yards from the site where the bodies were discovered.

He stated that he remembered hearing gunshots overnight on Friday.

ABC11's Cindy Bae contributed to this report.

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