The two men accused in the 2016 murder of 19-year old De’Andre Palmer in Oak Grove will go to trial, after being unable to come to a resolution in the case.
Leonardo Miller and Deqavion James will be tried separately, with Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling requesting in Christian Circuit Court Thursday that James be tried first and then Miller in the following month. Circuit Judge John Atkins set for James to be tried in March of 2021 and for Miller’s trial to follow in April.
Defense Attorney Clayton Brown, who represents Miller, says that attempts at a resolution where unsuccessful and he was not opposed to separate trials.
The Commonwealth is seeking the death penalty in this case. A motion from James concerning bond was denied by Judge Atkins.
Arrest warrants for James and Miller allege they fatally shot Palmer in July of 2016. Police say they took cash and other items from Palmer’s pockets before putting his body in a closet. Palmer’s body was later moved from the residence and it was discovered a few days later by an Oak Grove police officer near Ghost Bridge on Carter Road.
