Judge Postpones Mobile Murder Trial Over Defense Objection After Prosecutors Cite Missing Witnesses

A Mobile County judge has agreed to postpone the murder trial of DeAngelo Demetrius Merrill over the objections of his defense team, after prosecutors said two key witnesses needed to authenticate cell phone evidence were unavailable.

The Details

Prosecutors asked the court for a continuance because two witnesses they consider essential were not available to appear, according to FOX10 News. Those witnesses are needed to authenticate cell phone records that prosecutors say show Merrill communicating about details of the incident.

The charges stem from a 2021 shooting at Pathways Apartment Homes. Prosecutors allege Merrill went to the complex seeking revenge, kicked in the wrong door, and shot a 74-year-old man who was on kidney dialysis.

Defense attorney ChaLea Tisdale objected to the delay and told the court the defense was ready for trial. She argued that Merrill, who is being held in jail without bond, has a right to a speedy trial.

Despite the defense's objection, the judge granted the prosecution's request. Merrill's trial has been rescheduled for June. FOX10 News separately reported that Merrill was found not guilty last year in a separate drug trafficking case.

Context

Prosecutors frame the shooting as a mistaken-identity revenge attack tied to an earlier 2021 gunfight involving Merrill's girlfriend, according to the report.

Tisdale, a local criminal defense attorney, also appeared in FOX10 coverage the same day arguing evidentiary issues in another Mobile County homicide case, confirming her active role in local criminal proceedings.

What's Next

Merrill's murder trial is now scheduled for June. He remains jailed without bond.