JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Day three of testimony in the trial of Marcel Johnson and Kentrevious Garard, who are accused in the 2022 shooting death of 13-year-old Prince Holland, centered on forensic evidence, crime lab analysis and rap music videos meant to show the two men’s association.

The morning began with a note to jurors: several had trouble viewing videos on Thursday, so the judge allowed them another chance to see edited versions of music videos prosecutors say tie Johnson and Garard together. 

Jurors were instructed not to use the videos as evidence of bad character, but instead as context for their relationship from Judge Jeb Branham.

The state then called Florida Department of Law Enforcement analyst Jennifer Brown, who explained the complexities of DNA testing. 

Brown told jurors multiple swabs from evidence in the case produced either no usable results or inconclusive findings. She confirmed Johnson could not be ruled out from one mixture, while Garard was excluded entirely. She stressed that DNA is often easily degraded, and the absence of results does not prove someone was not involved.

The defense pressed that DNA alone could not tie either man to the shooting. Brown agreed her testing cannot show when or how DNA was deposited, or if it came from direct touch at all.

Firearms experts followed, walking jurors through the analysis of 5.56 caliber cartridge casings recovered from the crime scene. 

While examiners confirmed at least 22 rounds had been fired from a rifle-style weapon, they could not match the casings to any specific gun or person. 

Prosecutors and defense attorneys stipulated that DNA recovered from a grouping of shell casings produced only an inconclusive profile.

Jurors also heard reminders that neither Johnson nor Garard was arrested at the scene. 

Detectives testified that while the evidence shows gunfire from high-powered rifles, it does not conclusively place weapons in either defendant’s hands.

The trial, now in its third day, continues to highlight the prosecution’s challenge: tying forensic evidence directly to Johnson and Garard.

The two face charges including murder in the death of Prince Holland, who was shot and killed in December 2022 while riding home from football practice. Two other teens were wounded.

Testimony will continue this week as the state works to bolster its case with additional witnesses.