Issiah Ross guilty of 2nd-degree murder in Devin Clark's death; mistrial declared in Woods' case

ByCindy Bae and ABC11 Digital Team WTVD logo
Last updated: Thursday, January 29, 2026 11:23PM GMT
Jury finds Issiah Ross guilty of 1 teen's death, hung on the other

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The murder trial of Issiah Ross is back in session on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

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.

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How we got here. Here are links to previous ABC11 blogs detailing the trial.

WEEK 1

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WEEK 2

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Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
WTVD logo
Jan 29, 2026, 6:45 PM GMT

Jury continues deliberating

At 1:15 p.m., the judge stated the jury is still deliberating, with a plan to check on their progress at 3 p.m.

WTVD logo
Jan 29, 2026, 5:20 PM GMT

Court in recess

Jury deliberations will continue at 1:10 p.m. after the court recess.

WTVD logo
Jan 29, 2026, 2:16 PM GMT

Trial resumes Thursday with jury deliberations continuing

At 8:58 a.m., Issiah Ross walked into the courtroom.

Judge Stephanie Reese will ask the attorneys to step back with her after the jury sits.

At 9:07 a.m., the jury heads back to the room to continue deliberations.

Cindy Bae Image
Jan 28, 2026, 9:44 PM GMT

Jury done for day after 8-4 split on Lyric Woods

The jury is done for the day after deliberations failed to result in a unanimous verdict.

Judge Stephanie Reese excused the jury and alternates after she reminded them of instructions.

At 4:38 p.m., Reese read that the jury said it had reached a unanimous verdict regarding Devin Clark, but was split 8-4 regarding Lyric Woods.

Deliberations will resume at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Reese said she expected a final decision on Thursday.

Court is in recess.