A jury was finally seated Friday in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, clearing the way for the murder trial tied to a prom-night shooting that killed a Manchester High School student in April 2024. The case has drawn attention across the region, with friends and family back in court nearly two years after the teenager was shot while out with classmates.
Three defendants face murder and assault counts
Three young men — Semaj Copeland, Zion Horton and Jaquan Mahone — are in the hot seat, each charged with murder and multiple aggravated assault counts in connection with the shooting. Authorities arrested and charged the trio after an investigation that stretched into 2025, according to WTVM.
What happened the night of the shooting
The victim, 16-year-old Daryus Bryant, was found with gunshot wounds at the intersection of Macon Road and Lakeshore Drive on the night of April 20, 2024, and later died at a local hospital. Family members have described Bryant as a standout athlete at Manchester High School and called on the community to confront gun violence, as reported by WJCL.
Lengthy jury selection and courtroom screening
Jury selection stretched over several days as lawyers questioned potential jurors one by one, looking for any bias or issues that might derail a fair trial. A procedural snag slowed things down and pushed back the start of opening statements, according to reporting from WRBL.
Investigators, evidence and arrests
Columbus detectives have said that phone records and surveillance footage played a key role in identifying suspects, with arrests coming only after additional legwork following the 2024 shooting. Court records and earlier coverage show Copeland turned himself in, and investigators continued building the case before charging multiple suspects, according to WTVM.
What to expect next
With jurors now sworn in, the court is expected to move to opening statements and then witness testimony in the coming days, with local outlets reporting the trial could last about two weeks. WALB posted a brief video update from the Muscogee County Government Center after the jury was seated, offering a quick look at Friday's proceedings and the tense atmosphere inside the courtroom.
