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Jerel Maceo Norman |
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
By AMANDA BUCK - Bulletin Staff Writer
The case against a 21-year-old man charged with the shooting death of a teenager in Sandy Level will be considered by a grand jury in Henry County Circuit Court.
Jerel Maceo Norman of Axton Road is charged with first-degree murder, robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with the May 21 slaying of 18-year-old Lewis Anthony “A.J.” Dillard Jr. The teen lived in Ridgeway.
Norman appeared in Henry County General District Court on Monday with his attorney, Mark Williams of Danville. During a brief hearing, Norman waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
The purpose of a preliminary hearing is to determine whether there is probable cause that a crime was committed and enough evidence to warrant sending the charges against the defendant to circuit court. Defendants are not required to have the hearings, though many do.
Judge Morgan Armstrong asked Norman if he understood his right to a preliminary hearing and was waiving it voluntarily. Norman, dressed in an orange Henry County Jail uniform with a white T-shirt beneath it, answered “Yes, sir” to the judge’s questions.
Armstrong certified the three charges to circuit court, where they will be considered by a grand jury. It will be up to the grand jury to decide whether indictments should be issued.
An indictment is not an indication of guilt. It is a grand jury’s determination that enough evidence exists to warrant a trial.
According to police reports at the time, ongoing problems between Norman and Dillard preceded the shooting.
Henry County Sheriff Lane Perry has said a man allegedly approached Dillard, pulled out a weapon and started firing. Dillard was shot multiple times, police have said.
He was pronounced dead in a gravel driveway just off Axton Road in the Sandy Level area, which is in the southeastern part of the county.
Perry said at the time that the incident stemmed from an earlier incident involving drugs.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Andrew Nester represented the commonwealth Monday. |
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