Murder trial begins for suspects accused of killing Manchester High athlete on prom night

Added: 2026-05-21

[00:00:00]Our top story tonight, emotions high in a Columbus courtroom as the trial begins for the suspects accused of killing a Manchester High star athlete.

[00:00:09]>> In April of 2024, Darius Bryant, 16 years old, was shot on his prom night in Columbus. Three defendants are charged with murder, now facing a Columbus judge and jury. News Leader 9's Alexis Thornton joins us live at the Government Center where that murder trial is happening. And Alexis, it has been quite the process to pick a jury. Tell us more about that and the evidence presented today in court.

[00:00:34]Well, Barbara Jason, a 12-person jury was selected around 12:30 this afternoon. Now, emotions were very high in the courtroom, um as court started around 2:00 this afternoon. It was a lot of things that the family of the victim and the family of the defendants and the jurors saw today that they've never seen before. And that and they heard 911 calls from uh victims who survived the shooting, and they also saw body cam footage from police officers. Now, uh after 4 days of jury selection, a 12-person jury is now seated in the murder trial of 16-year-old Darius Bryant. Prosecutors say Bryant was shot and killed on his prom night on Macon Road near Lakeshore Drive in Columbus back on April 20th, 2024. And I spoke with Bryant's father and he says the family is still living with that loss to every day.

[00:01:26]Along with Zion Horton and Jaquwan Mahone are all charged with murder in this case. Court began with opening statements from the state and the defense. Prosecutors say Coplin was driving a silver Chevy Impala that night, and they believe Horton and Mahone were also in that car. Defense attorney Defense attorneys urged jurors to pay close attention to the video evidence.

[00:01:50]Now, Barbara Jason, like I said, the courtroom was very emotional today. And it was a packed courtroom as as Um this is something that the family has been going through for 2 years now and, you know, seeing those things that they've never seen before and hearing those things, it was very traumatic for anyone to hear it and, you know, it's just a very emotional courtroom today.

[00:02:09]Now, court will resume tomorrow at noon and they're expecting this trial to last at least 2 weeks. Live in Columbus, Alexis Thornton, WTVM News Leader 9.

[00:02:21]>> Yeah, keep us updated on that uh murder trial happening there behind you. All right, thank you, Alexis.