HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The murder trial of Issiah Ross is back in session on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The trial started on Wednesday, Jan. 14 and has moved rapidly.
Ross is charged in the deaths of Lyric Woods and Devin Clark in Orange County. He is accused of murdering the two teens in September 2022. He was 17 when he allegedly committed the crime; however, he is being tried as an adult.
He has pleaded not guilty. Ross rejected a plea bargain offer on Monday, Jan. 12.
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Ross took the stand and testified in his own defense.
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Just started watching, here's week 1 blog to catch you up.
At 11:33 a.m., Ivory resumes his testimony as the defense cross-examines him regarding the DNA examination process and its application to the evidence.
There is another recess at 12:30 p.m.
At 10:22 a.m., Wendell Ivory, a forensic scientist supervisor in the forensic biology section at the NC State Crime Lab, took the stand.
Ivory outlined the basic procedures used for DNA testing at the lab and examined evidence from a GMC Terrain with "brown and reddish" staining. He discussed results from a swab of the door handle. However, it remains unclear how this evidence is tied to a specific person.
Meanwhile, the defense indicated that Issiah Ross may decide whether to testify, potentially becoming their only witness if he takes the stand.
At 11:11 a.m., the court went into a 15-minute recess.
At 9:40 a.m., Evie Nguyen, a forensic scientist at the NC Crime Laboratory, is called to testify.
She discusses two separate examinations she conducted for Devin Clark and Lyric Woods using sexual assault kit evidence, including tests on head and pubic hair.
Nguyen states that human hairs, including head hairs, and animal hair were found on some items. However, none of the hair evidence could identify a specific person, and the findings do not link Issiah Ross to the victims.
The trial of Issiah Ross, accused of killing two teenagers in 2022, resumes Wednesday.
Prosecutors indicated they have two witnesses remaining, while the defense stated that, for now, Issiah Ross would be their sole witness if he chooses to testify.
