VERDICT WATCH NC - Devin Clark, 18, Lyric Woods, 14, found murdered, Alamance Co., 18 Sept 2022 *ARREST* #2

[SteveP]

Trial Day 2: Issiah Ross accused of 2022 double homicide claims self-defense as case moves forward

Parents of murdered teens give emotional testimony on day 1 of the Issiah Ross trial, Orange County detectives testify about evidence.

abc11.com

 

[oliveyoutothemoon9]

The latest: Issiah Ross double murder trial in recess until Tuesday after scheduling conflict

Friday is the fifth day of the Issiah Ross double murder trial in Orange County. It went into recess for the day due to a scheduling conflict that arose in the defense team, and plans to pick up again next week.

www.wral.com

 

[tricia]

THIS SATURDAY = GUARDIAN ZOOM MADNESS
It’s EPIC.
It’s 8 HOURS.
It’s our MONTHLY GUARDIAN ZOOM CALL — and you’re invited!
Saturday, January 17
12 NOON – 8 PM Eastern
(Yes, really. No, you don’t have to stay the whole time )

YOU MUST REGISTER FIRST — CLICK HERE to register
Pro tip: You do NOT have to use your real name. Your Websleuths username is perfect.
WHAT WILL WE TALK ABOUT?

(Here are a few ideas but we can talk about almost anything you want)​

What case drives you absolutely crazy — and why
What changes you’d like to see on Websleuths
Your brush with fame (we KNOW you have one)
And lots more laughs, surprises, and great conversation

FREE STUFF!​

We’ll be giving away FREE Guardian memberships
You can nominate Websleuths members you think deserve one — because kindness matters.

REGISTER HERE for the call
Want to become a Guardian? CLICK HERE — it’s easy and only $3/month

Come and go as you please.
Pop in. Pop out. Stay 10 minutes or all day — it’s totally up to you.

Check out the screenshot from our last Guardian call…
See? We’re a fun bunch! That's me in the middle in the "Alice" square if you are looking at this like the Brady Bunch.

 

[oliveyoutothemoon9]

'I was afraid, I didn't know what to do'; Suspect in Orange County double murder trial testifies

Issiah Ross says he shot, killed teen in self defense after watching him kill 14-year-old Lyric Woods.

www.wfmynews2.com

 

[Seattle1]

1/21/26

Issiah Ross takes the stand in his defense | DAY 1 TESTIMONY​

 

[Seattle1]

Former acquaintance says Issiah Ross admitted to killing teens, dumping bodies | Orange County murder trial

Christian Sykes told investigators that Ross had no remorse about the incident and that he laughed about it when they spoke on the phone.

www.wfmynews2.com

1/20/26

ORANGE COUNTY, N.C. — The trial of Issiah Ross, the man accused of killing two teenagers in Orange County, featured explosive testimony Tuesday from a former acquaintance who told jurors Ross confessed to shooting both victims and dumping their bodies where “nobody’s gonna find them.”

Christian Sykes told investigators that Ross had no remorse about the incident and that he laughed about it when they spoke on the phone.

 

[Seattle1]

1/20/26

Key witness Christian Sykes testifies in Issiah Ross murder trial | FULL TESTIMONY​

 

[Seattle1]

1/22/26

LIVE NOW: Issiah Ross murder trial continues​

 

[Seattle1]

The latest: Closing arguments to begin after court comes back from lunch

The prosecution wrapped up its case Wednesday against Issiah Ross, but the day was highlighted by Ross taking the stand and giving his side of the night the murders occurred.

www.wral.com

1/22/26

The prosecution wrapped up its case Wednesday against Issiah Ross, but the day was highlighted by Ross taking the stand and giving his side of the night the murders occurred. Defense testimony continues Thursday...

 

[Seattle1]

I'm concerned that neither side called the group/chain snapchat witnesses to corroborate/confirm they received a text from Clark seeking to borrow a ride on the night of 9/16 into the morning of 9/17-- leaving Ross's version of Clarks offer for a ride the only testimony-- and by default, offering the defendant a hint of reasonable doubt if jurors consider that Clark brought a gun along to the meet-up. I'm sorry these teen victims ever left the comfort and security of their bedrooms on that autumn evening. MOO

A Star Witness, Snapchat Messages and Phone Records: Prosecution Advances Testimony in Issiah Ross Trial - Chapelboro.com

Information critical to the prosecution's first-degree murder case against Issiah Ross was shared during Tuesday's testimony.

chapelboro.com

1/20/26

From the data on Woods’ devices, Goodwin testified the sheriff’s office was able to see her messages with a Snapchat user during the 1 a.m. hour on Sep. 17. She told the account — which investigators later confirmed belonged to Clark — her home address and how to pick her up without being detected. With the Snapchat user was confirmed as Clark, Goodwin filed a search warrant with the messaging app to get other data from Clark’s account on the night of Sep. 16 into the morning of Sep. 17. Two strings of Snapchat messages, one to an unidentified user and another to a group chat with 11 users, claimed to offer “free buns” if Clark could borrow a ride — indicating Clark expected Woods to provide sexual favors.

Goodwin testified that no responses were given to Clark’s message in the group chat and no direct communication with Ross was found by the warrant. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigator said because of how Snapchat handles data, there was no way to access any prior conversation history between Clark’s and Woods’ accounts. Goodwin also said a data search of the infotainment system of the GMC Terrain Ross drove on Sep. 17 returned nothing substantive for law enforcement’s investigation.

 

[Seattle1]

1/22/26

Issiah Ross Trial: Prosecution closing arguments​

 

[Seattle1]

1/22/26

Issiah Ross Trial: Defense closing arguments​

 

[Seattle1]

Jury hears closing arguments in Issiah Ross murder trial

The jury was dismissed on Thursday afternoon after deliberating for about an hour in the Orange County double murder case of Issiah Ross. Closing arguments were made by both sides, with the defense arguing Ross acted in self-defense.

www.wral.com

1/22/26

The jury was dismissed for the day in the Orange County double murder case of Issiah Ross after deliberating for about an hour.

Ross is accused of killing Lyric Woods and Devin Clark in 2022. Closing arguments took place on Thursday after days of witness testimony and investigators explaining their methods for gathering evidence.

[..]

Court will be back in session at 9 a.m. on Friday.

 

[Seattle1]

Issiah Ross Trial: Man accused of killing NC teens Lyric Woods, Devin Clark

Issiah Ross is on trial for killing two Orange County teenagers in 2022. He was 17 when the crime happened and he tried as an adult.

abc11.com

1/22/26

Court resumes Friday morning​

After an hour of deliberations, the judge reviewed the jury's note and requests.

The jury was sent home for the day at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Court resumes at 9:00 a.m. Friday.

Follow the trial via ABC11 Live Blog.

Just started watching, here's week 1 blog to catch you up.

Jury sends list with requests to judge​

Around 4:50 p.m., the jury sent a note with requests to the judge. She read them out loud and worked to provide them.

Their request list:

• A whiteboard or a pad of paper on a stand
• Crime scene photos
• Christian Sykes' testimony on video
• Video of the Petro station
• Cell phone data

In addition, they asked: Do we have a hard stop at 5 p.m., and what time do we start tomorrow (Friday)?

Judge instructs court staff to get them a whiteboard and a pad of paper with a stand.
She also said they can see the crime scene photos.
We'll let them listen to Mr. Sykes' testimony video, and they can see the video of the Petro station

She asked for clarification on what they mean by "cell phone data."

 

[Lusitana]

What was the motive? Why did he kill them?

 

[Seattle1]

The latest: Second day of jury deliberations in Issiah Ross murder trial

Closing arguments were made Thursday in the case of Issiah Ross, who was charged with murder in the deaths of Lyric Woods and Devin Clark.

www.wral.com

1/23/26

There's no word on if a verdict is possible on Friday.

This story contains a running description of Friday's proceedings:



Because of the weather conditions on Monday, courts in Orange County will be closed. So if the jury does not reach a verdict Friday, they are to continue deliberations and the trial on Tuesday.

4:36 p.m.: The jury asks for Ross's testimony, an investigator's crime scene testimony and photo tha shows a series of evidence placards. Judge Reese said she can't give a transcript for Ross's testimony because it takes a lot of work for the reporter to turn that around. She also could not give the jury the testimony from the crime scene because it was not submitted into evidence.

The jury will decide if they will still deliberate past the 5 p.m. mark, and then when they come back, they will discuss plans for the weekend.

1:18 p.m.: Jury is back in deliberations.

1:14 p.m.: The jury returns from lunch and Reese talks about the weather plan.

12:09 p.m.: Judge Stephanie Reese releases the jury to lunch. Court will be in recess until 1:10 p.m.

11:57 a.m.: Jury re-enters with a question. They would like the victims' autopsy reports, and the judge and attorneys agree to bring those evidence back. Jury continues to deliberate until they break for lunch.

It's not clear when a verdict will be made.

10:28 a.m.: The jury leaves the courtroom to deliberate. They are expected to break for lunch at 12:30 p.m.

10 a.m.: Jury begins reviewing crime scene photos.

9:50 a.m.: The jury reviews and rewatches the gas station surveillance footage.

9:09 a.m.: Court started earlier at 9 a.m. The jury is reviewing pieces of evidence they asked for at the end of the day on Thursday.

They are watching a 2022 police interview with Christian Sykes, who said Ross confessed to him that he killed both Woods and Clark.

 

[Seattle1]

I don't like this -- the jury requesting the autopsy reports and Ross's testimony! IMO, it's all pointing to the jury not sold on the Prosecutor's case beyond a reasonable doubt!

IMO, Ross waited until the 11th hour to Motion his "self-defense" theory for his murder trial where I believe he fashioned his defense only after learning about all the admitted evidence.

Ross clearly used Clark bringing a weapon to the meet-up with Woods to portray the victim as the aggressor, who carried his father's weapon with him, because he wasn't afraid to use it. By painting Clark as Woods killer, he makes himself a witness to Woods murder-- and who was forced to defend himself against Clark-- after telling him he was not good with "silence."

IMO, Ross also used Clark's recovered Snap-Chat messages promising "free buns" in exchange for "wheels" -- implying Woods would provide sexual favors, to present a motive for Clark to shoot Woods-- after she allegedly threatened to call police on Clark for acting as her pimp.

We know the bodies were not in good condition when recovered days later, but I'm not recalling whether or not Clark's hands were tested for GSR-- or if degradation was possible under the circumstances.

Thinking of the victims families during this difficult time-- and now a long weekend (due to winter weather) before deliberations resume.

 

[Seattle1]

Defense cross-examines on DNA process

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

abc11.com

1/23/26

Key Headlines​

• 32 minutes ago
  Court ends with no verdict, will pick up next week
• 1 hour and 2 minutes ago
  Jury's note to judge contained 3 requests, here's how she responded
• 1 hour and 13 minutes ago
  Issiah Ross, his attorneys and prosecutor return to courtroom
• 10:27 AM PST
  Judge addresses weather concerns
• 9:14 AM PST
  Jury requests to view victim's autopsy reports
• 7:33 AM PST
  Jury deliberations underway
• 6:56 AM PST
  Jury views evidence: video, photos and cellphone data to be reviewed

 

[Seattle1]

We know the bodies were not in good condition when recovered days later, but I'm not recalling whether or not Clark's hands were tested for GSR-- or if degradation was possible under the circumstances.

^^rsbm

Found the answer! Per 1/21/26 expert witness testimony of Ms. Nguyen, the NC forensics lab does not perform GSR on gunshot wound victims because the bodies of these victims are deemed as having been exposed to GSR. Even if a test performed as a deviation to the NC lab protocol, there was no request to test the victims of this case for GSR.

 

[SimplyCass]

Issiah Ross Argues Self-Defense In Double Murder Trial; Prosecution Wraps Testimony - Chapelboro.com

Issiah Ross took the stand Wednesday to share his own testimony and defense in the trial over the 2022 deaths of two teens in Orange County.

chapelboro.com

Ross's story is completely unhinged. how can he even credibly suggest that Clark was "pimping" Woods out and then that he shot her and somehow Ross was able to get Clark's gun and shoot him? And in self-defense??

Frankly I'm shocked that he actually took the stand and testified, that's unheard of.

even if what he said is true - which I don't believe at all - him burying the bodies and being three states away on the run should alone undermine and reduce his credibility.

Question: if the jury doesn't think he's guilty of first degree, are they allowed to consider any other lower degree of culpability?