Former Navy corpsman found guilty of killing father & son
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It took jurors less than 90 minutes to convict a former Navy corpsman for killing a father and son more than five years ago.
Jhaden Davis was found guilty of first degree murder.
20-year-old Albert Correll and 50-year-old Duane Correll were killed in a robbery attempt at their home near Beaufort June 2, 2012.
Jurors started deliberating around 11:45 a.m. and came back with their verdict shortly after 1:00 p.m.
Davis' former roommate, Joseph Pirrotta, took the stand on Wednesday as the state's key witness after accepting a plea deal. Pirrotta is also facing murder charges in this case, but is expected to receive a 10-14 year sentence on reduced charges in return for testifying against Davis.
Assistant District Attorney David Spence told jurors this morning that Davis was an "appalling specimen of a Navy corpsman".
Davis didn't take the stand during the trial and his lawyer presented no evidence.
The man received an automatic life in prison sentence.
Jurors were told a former corpsman who is on trial for killing two people was a "Navy failure and loser".
Jhaden Davis is on trial for killing a father and son, 20-year-old Albert Correll and 50-year-old Duane Correll in Beaufort more than five years ago.
Jurors started deliberating around 11:45 a.m.
Davis' former roommate, Joseph Pirrotta, took the stand on Wednesday as the state's key witness after accepting a plea deal. Pirrotta is also facing murder charges in this case, but is expected to receive a 10-14 year sentence on reduced charges in return for testifying against Davis.
Assistant District Attorney David Spence told jurors this morning, that Davis as an "appalling specimen of a Navy corpsman".
Spence said the two murders were crimes of hatred, rage and payback. He said Davis has no alibi and used two other corpsmen for his agenda.
Defense attorney Dick McNeil told jurors that Parrotta has a motive not to share his real involvement in the crime. McNeil said Parrotta and other witnesses haven't shared the entire truth.
If convicted for the two murders, Davis could get life in prison.
A former Navy corpsman did not take the witness stand in his double murder trial in Carteret County.
Jhaden Davis is accused of killing 20-year-old Albert Correll and his 50-year-old father, Duane Correll, in Beaufort back in June of 2012.
The state wrapped up its testimony today and then Davis' lawyer presented no evidence to the jury.
On Wednesday, Davis' former roommate, Joseph Pirrotta, testified about what was only supposed to be an armed robbery of the younger Correll. In return for the testimony, Pirotta--who was also charged with two murders, is expected to get a 10-14 year sentence on reduced charges.
Closing arguments in the case should begin Monday morning in Beaufort.
A former Navy corpsman told a jury that a fellow corpsman shot and killed two men five years ago in Carteret County during an attempted robbery.
Jhaden Davis is on trial for killing a father and son, 20-year-old Albert Correll and 50-year-old Duane Correll in Beaufort.
Joseph Pirrotta is also charged with those murders, but has agreed to testify against Davis in return for a 10-14 year prison sentence on reduced charges.
Pirrotta told jurors this morning that on June 2, 2012, Davis got out of his car and tried to rob Albert Correll. Pirrotta then heard what sounded like someone being pistol-whipped and then a confrontation with the father.
Pirrotta says he then heard the first of three gunshots. The former corpsman took off running from the car, hearing two more gunshots. He said Davis eventually picked him up down the road and handed him a man's wallet. Pirrotta told jurors he threw the wallet out of the car's window.
Pirrotta says he and Davis went back to their Beaufort apartment, came up with an alleged alibi, and then parted ways.
Under cross examination, Davis' attorney asked Pirrotta about lying to investigators when first questioned. Davis' attorney then questioned whether Pirrotta was being truthful now.
Davis, if convicted for the two murders, could get life in prison.
Testimony continued in Carteret County Court Monday in the trial of former Navy Corpsman
Jhaden Davis is charged with shooting and killing a father and son in 2012, 20-year-old Albert Correll and 50-year-old Duane Correll in Beaufort.
In court, three witnesses testified -- two of which were Jade Quenga and Kevin Wells.
Both testified to having knowledge of drug deals and drug use by Davis.
Quenga -- who was dating one of the victim's at the time of the shooting -- Albert Correll -- said Davis had threatened her and Albert, and accused her of stealing money.
Back in 2012 -- two other men were arrested in connection to the shooting -- Brandon Smallwood -- also a former Navy Corpsman assigned to Camp Lejeune, and Joseph Pirrotta -- who was recently dishonorably discharged from the Navy.
Pirrotta has since taken a plea deal with the state -- he is expected to testify sometime this week. Smallwood was charged with two counts of accessory after the fact. He's been released since 2012 but has yet to resolve his case.
Back in 2015 -- a retired Marine found a handgun while diving off Emerald Isle and turned it over to authorities. The prosecution says they've confirmed it to be the weapon used during the shooting.
Testimony is expected to begin Thursday in a double murder trial involving three former Navy corpsmen.
Jhaden Davis is charged with two counts of first degree murder, robbery and conspiracy, while Brandon Smallwood is facing two counts of accessory after the fact to murder.
The two were active duty Navy corpsmen assigned to Camp Lejeune when Albert and Duane Correll were shot and killed on June 2, 2012.
Deputies believe the father and son were ambushed outside their home on Taylor Farm Road in Beaufort.
A third defendant, Joseph Pirrotta is expected to be a key witness in the trial against Davis and Smallwood.
Court documents say Pirrotta will plead guilty to two felony counts of accessory after the fact to murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit robbery in return for his testimony against the other two men. The state will then drop the murder charges against him.
Deputies say Pirrotta was a former corpsman who was living in Beaufort at the time of the killings.
Jury selection in the non-capital murder case began yesterday in Beaufort. Testimony in the trial is expected to take a couple of weeks.