Witness testimony begins in the murder trial, in which the defendant now claims self-defense

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – A Columbus jury is hearing testimony in a murder case to determine whether the defendant acted in self-defense.

It was Labor Day weekend two years ago when shots rang out in a home in King's Mountain Court and a young father died. The victim's girlfriend was one of the witnesses who testified in court.

However, new information revealed that the victim's girlfriend in this case is related to the accused murderer.

The trial began today with the swearing in of the jury and the hearing of the charges against Jamez Starr.

“He is charged with premeditated murder, first-degree murder, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon during the commission of a serious crime,” said Judge Gil McBride.

Judge McBride and the jury heard opening statements from the state and the defense.

The state says that on September 3, 2022, Jamez Starr came to the home of Jaelon Langley's ex-girlfriend on King's Mountain Court, where some of Starr's cousins ​​were located.

“Jamez Starr comes in and walks from the front door to the back door and to the back patio … he opens the door, looks at Jaelon and says, 'What's going on?', pulls out two firearms and fires eight shots,” said attorney Robin King.

Starr's defense attorney Anthony Johnson told the jury that when Starr went to the back porch, he saw Langley there with a black bag with a gun in it.

Johnson says Starr had to defend himself.

“Then there is the idea that Mr. Langley actually has a gun and is shooting it. And you want to know how we know that in another way – that's right, because you will find that there was the blood of two people at the crime scene that day … it was Mr. Langley and Jamez Starr,” said attorney Anthony Johnson.

The victim's ex-girlfriend, Briona Durham, took the stand to recall the events of that day when she was sitting next to Langley when he was shot.

The jury heard the emergency call from Durham.

Durham: I'm in Bunker Hill. 1223 King's Mountain Court. KINGS MOUNTAIN.

Operator: Tell me exactly what happened.

Durham: My cousin just came in and shot my friend.

The trial will continue tomorrow morning in Judge Gil McBride's courtroom, where the jury will hear and see further evidence from this case.

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