A teenager charged with shooting another student to death at Mount Tabor High School on Sept. 1 was in fear for his life and had received a death threat from the victim, his attorney argued before a judge on Thursday in Forsyth County Superior Court.
Judge Athena Brooks denied the motion by defense attorney J.D. Byers to set a bond for Maurice Trevon Evans Jr., who is being held without bond on a murder charge relating to the shooting death of William Chavis Renard Miller Jr. at Mount Tabor.
Byers told the court that Evans himself was shot nine times during a June 5 assault that put Evans into intensive care at a hospital. An investigation into the case resulted in no arrest.
Byers provided the court with documents including photos of Evans in the hospital, text messages he said were sent by Miller to Evans, and posts that Miller made on social media.
WGHP/Fox 8 News, the news-gathering partner of the Journal, reported that Byers told the court that Miller had threatened to “finish the job,” referring to the June 5 shooting of Evans. Byers argued that Miller had gang ties and that Evans was afraid to go to school.
People are also reading…
Byers argued for a bond amount between $4,000 and $35,000, WGHP reported.
Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill told the court that video evidence showed that Evans walked down a school hallway, pulled a gun from his backpack and shot Miller as the victim stood near a teacher, WGHP reported.
O’Neill told the court that Evans refused to name his attackers following the June 5 assault, WGHP reported. Byers told the court that was because “they just tried to kill him.”
O’Neill and Byers convened a joint press conference following the court hearing.
“The statute is pretty clear that there are certain factors that a judge can consider” when making a decision on bond, including flight risk, danger to the community and the nature and circumstances of the case,” O’Neill told reporters.
“Anytime you are dealing with school violence, we have to send a message to the community that it won’t be tolerated, the criminal justice system takes these cases very seriously, and of course the prosecutor’s office takes a zero-tolerance on these sorts of things.”
Byers said that Evans and his family are disappointed that Evans didn’t win the chance to post bond, and that while a low bond amount in a murder case is rare, it would be justified by the circumstances of this case.
“He is 15 years old and has health issues from almost being killed,” Byers said. “I felt like my arguments were reasonable.”
But Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill told the court that while he would not discuss case specifics, “it is never OK to take the law into your own hands.”
“If individuals are out there in the public schools and feeling threatened by other students at school or groups of students, it is important to seek out the … police or sheriff’s deputy assigned to the school and explain that, so that authorities can do something and you don’t feel like your back is up against the wall,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill said that schools are safe and called the shooting at Mount Tabor different from the kind of school shooting where someone comes to school and randomly targets students.
“As I said in court, this is more of a continuing, ongoing saga and beef that sort of bled over from the summer,” O’Neill said.
The district attorney said jail is safer for defendants who might otherwise face retribution from friends of the victim.
But Byers said Evans’ family wants him back home.
“They are having a tough time,” he said.
PHOTOS: Shooting at Mount Tabor in Winston-Salem

"Oh my God! One is dead!" a woman screams as she arrives at Mount Tabor High School 30 minutes after the call of shots fired at the school.

Kiwannie James Sr. hangs his head as he waits near the intersection of Polo Road and Petree Road in Winston-Salem to get word about his son, Kiwannie James Jr. A shooting left one student dead at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1. James got word that his son was OK about 10 minutes later.

Law enforcement officers search the Foxhall neighborhood behind Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem after a shooting that left one student dead Sept. 1, 2021.

Azucena and Raul Tavira hold one another as they wait to see how to reunite with their children, Ariana (a senior) and Alan (a junior) Jaimes-Tavira after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Kiwannie James Sr. wipes his eyes as he waits to get word about his son, Kiwannie James Jr. A shooting left one student dead at Mount Tabor High School. James got word that his son was OK about 10 minutes later.

Police officers escort school buses as they leave Mount Tabor High School enroute to a site where parents were reunited with their children, hours after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

Forsyth County Sheriff directs some of the law enforcement officers on the scene at Mount Tabor High School about 45 minutes after the call of shots fired at the school, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. One student was killed.

"This is crazy. I'm just truing to find my baby," Tammy Moore says as she wait to see her grandson, freshman, Alonza Day after a shooting Mount Tabor High School, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. Moore said her daughter, Kiara Moore, and grandson moved from Philadelphia thinking that Winston-Salem would be a better environment. She said Alonza told her that he got pushed into a lockerroom when he heard gunshots.

Azucena and Raul Tavira hold one hands as they wait to see how to get up with their children, Ariana ( a senior) and Alan (a junior) Jaimes-Tavira after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

Families talk with their students who were locked down inside Mount Tabor High School after a shooting at the school, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

State Troopers dressed in tactical gear walk outside the grounds of Mount Tabor High School after a shooting at the school, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

Azucena and Raul Tavira hold hands as they wait to see how to get up with their children, Ariana (a senior) and Alan (a junior) Jaimes-Tavira after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

Parents gather in prayer at the corner of Petree and Polo roads after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School that left one student dead, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

Sheila Greer, a social worker who came to the scene with a friend, hugs Kiwannie James Sr. as he gets word that his son, Kiwannie James Jr. was safe after a shooting that left one student dead at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. Greer saw that James was in distress, not knowing the condition of his son, at went to comfort him.

A woman reacts as she arrives on the scene of a shooting at Mount Tabor High School, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

Law enforcement officers gather at a staging area in the bus lot entrance to Mount Tabor High School after a shooting at the school, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal) 090221-wsj-nws_tabor

Parents gather in prayer at the corner of Petree and Polo roads after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School that left one student dead, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal) 090221-wsj-nws_tabor

Parents gather in prayer at the corner of Petree and Polo roads after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School that left one student dead, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal) 090221-wsj-nws_tabor

A woman reacts as she arrives on the scene of a shooting at Mount Tabor High School, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal) 090221-wsj-nws_tabor

A family is reunited with a student after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Family and friends gather in the Whitaker Square Shopping Center about where to pick up students after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Family and friends wait to be reunited with students after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Family and friends wait to be reunited with students after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Family and friends gather in the Whitaker Square Shopping Center about where to pick up students after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Amiya Dodd, a 15-year-old freshman, is embraced by her father, Joe Dodd, after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Andy Bautista, a 14-year-old freshman, embraces his mother, Elvia Bautista, after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C. Elvia said she is very grateful for her son’s safety. She just wanted to hug him and see him.

Tye Davis Witherspoon, a 15-year-old freshman, sits for a portrait after being reunited with his mother after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C. “I knew something was happening because I seen the gun and I mentally prepared myself for it. I ran,” he said about the shooting.

Robin Maves speaks about her experience for the emergency situation as she waits to be reunited with her two children after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Members of law enforcement search for a suspect on Whitaker Ridge Road after a Mount Tabor High School shooting on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

A member of law enforcement searches for a suspect on Whitaker Ridge Road after a Mount Tabor High School shooting on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Law enforcement officers gather at Whitaker Square Shopping Center after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Sept. 1.

Member of law enforcement gather at Whitaker Square Shopping Center after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Sept. 1.

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough briefs members of the media at Whitaker Square Shopping Center after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Kollen Pyle comforts his wife, Jennifer Coty, at the family staging area at Whitaker Square Shopping Center after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Family and friends wait at the family staging area at Whitaker Square Shopping Center after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Family and friends wait at the family staging area at Whitaker Square Shopping Center after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Tricia McManus (left) and Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough (right) brief members of the media at Whitaker Square Shopping Center after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Tricia McManus briefs members of the media at Whitaker Square Shopping Center after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Members of law enforcement search for a suspect on Whitaker Ridge Road after a Mount Tabor High School shooting on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Tricia McManus (left) and Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough (right) speak on their phones at the family staging area at Whitaker Square Shopping Center after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Family and friends gather in the Whitaker Square Shopping Center about where to pick up students after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Family and friends wait to be reunited with students after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

A state trooper runs with a rifle while searching for a suspect on Whitaker Ridge Road after a Mount Tabor High School shooting on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Parents wait in the Whitaker Square Shopping Mall at Robinhood and Polo roads in the hours after police responded to Mount Tabor High School. A shooting was reported about noon on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

Officers talked with a woman gathered in the parking of Whitaker Square Shopping Mall waiting on information after a shooting at Mt. Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.




336-727-7369