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SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The May 13, 2021 murder of Travis Edwards, 20, is now being tried in Chatham County Superior Court.
Three suspects, all minors at the time at the of the crime, are facing several charges for Edwards’ shooting death in Savannah’s Bricktowne Flats apartments.
Now-21-year-old Harold Roberson, 20-year-old Vaquez Coleman, and 20-year-old Terry Rucker appeared in court Monday to be tried together.
They are all facing the following charges: one count malice murder, three counts felony murder, one count aggravated assault, two counts criminal attempt to commit a felony and four counts possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.
The beginning of the first day mostly centered around former Savannah Police Officer Darryl Repress and his involvement in Edwards’ murder case.
Repress has been charged with lying under oath and violating his oath of office in connection to a separate case.
Defense attorney Larry Chisholm, representing Rucker, said the State did not provide material on Repress’ recent guilty plea to the charges in a timely manner, “on the cusp of trial,” which he also said, “clearly effects strategy.”
Defense attorney Boone Philips, representing Roberson, raised the same concerns and said Repress played a quote “huge roll” in his client’s arrest.
This prompted Chisholm to request a motion to make the state to turn over all discovery material.
Prosecutor Lyle Burnham said the State was complicit in turning over such material, and Judge Tammy Stokes sided with the State, denying Chisholm’s request.
The State requested a motion for a protective order as it pertains to Repress’ files; this means files can only be seen by state and defense counsels.
Judge Stokes granted the motion.
In the afternoon, 81 potential jurors were brought in to be interviewed by both counsels.
Those selected will likely be sworn in by Wednesday.
The immediate impending schedule involves bringing in a medical examiner, which the State suggested could be called as the first witness.
will have cameras in the courtroom after jury selection wraps.