MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – A Mobile jury heard testimony from two key witnesses Monday in the murder trial of DeAngelo Merrill, the man accused of kicking in the wrong apartment door and shooting 74-year-old disabled veteran James Jones.
Prosecutors say it was a mistaken-identity revenge killing.
Digital evidence presented
A representative from Cellebrite, a digital forensics company, testified about evidence pulled from Merrill’s cell phone. Prosecutors highlighted text messages in which Merrill discussed wanting revenge after his girlfriend was caught in a shooting crossfire.
Jurors were also shown entries recovered from Merrill’s Notes app, including a rap song allegedly written after the murder that prosecutors say reflected his plans to seek revenge.
Arrest details revealed
A deputy U.S. Marshal who was working with the Mobile Police at the time of Merrill’s arrest also testified. The deputy told jurors authorities received a tip about a residence where Merrill may have been hiding. Officers set up a perimeter around the home, then spotted Merrill climbing out of a back window before taking him into custody…