The murder trial of one of the men accused of killing former NBA player and Dallas Carter High superstar Andre Emmett has begun.
Larry Jenkins is facing a capital murder charge in the 2019 slaying of 23-year-old Emmett.
Jenkins is one of three who have been charged in the case. The other two accused, Keith Johnson and Michael Lucky, are also charged with capital murder and set to go on trial later this year.
Emmett was a father of two and was drafted in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He played two seasons in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Jersey Nets.
He was shot and killed in front of his home in Old East Dallas in September 2019 after he tried to run away while being robbed at gunpoint. The crime was captured on his front door Ring camera system.
Jenkins was arrested and booked into the Dallas County Jail on August 14, 2020, for felony possession of a firearm, but his charges were later upgraded to capital murder.
In their opening statement, prosecutors explained that a white Chrysler 300 had followed Emmett from a nightclub to a fast-food restaurant and then finally to his home before the shooting. They asserted the vehicle was connected to Jenkins.
Dallas Police Homicide Detective Scott Sayers claimed evidence additionally showed that Johnson and Lucky had the white Chrysler 300 destroyed at a chop shop.
Defense attorneys argued that “There [was] not a witness at the crime scene who can say Larry Jenkins jumped out of that car and shot that man, Andre Emmett.”
Questioning what definitive evidence actually ties Jenkins to the murder, defense attorneys asked the jury to consider, “Is there DNA? [Are] there fingerprints? Can you see them on the video?”
Still, former Ellis County District Attorney Patrick Wilson told FOX 4 News that he thinks there is strong evidence linking Jenkins to the crime.
“Now you can’t identify anyone in that video, but I presume that the state and the police have very strong evidence linking Mr. Jenkins to be the individual who is actually firing the gun which is visible in the video as well,” said Wilson. “And so, that is going to be very compelling evidence for any jury,” he added.
Emmett’s mother plans to be at the trial and said she still feels the pain and heartbreak of losing him.
If convicted, Jenkins faces an automatic life sentence.
For more Dallas crime-related news, see how Dallas City Councilmember Chad West of District 1 was named The Dallas Express’ Crime Boss of the Month for January 2022.
