TEXARKANA, Ark. - Opening statements and testimony are expected to begin Tuesday for a man accused of fatally shooting two men and seriously wounding a third while a child slept in a nearby bedroom in Texarkana in 2019.
Justin Dalton Wilson, 20, is accused in the Aug. 28, 2019, deaths of Scott Wiegmann, 45, and Reginald Davis, 37, and of attempted murder in the shooting of Lajhonta Collier. Wilson was allegedly angry because he was losing at dice, according to a probable cause affidavit.
After shooting the three men, Wilson allegedly stole their money and fled from the Texarkana, Arkansas, apartment where they had gathered. Responding officers initially believed all three men were deceased, according to statements made in court last week during a hearing before Circuit Judge Brent Haltom.
A jury was selected Monday. The trial is scheduled to begin this morning before Haltom.
Wilson is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Wiegmann and Davis. If convicted, he faces 10 to 40 years or life in prison. If found guilty of attempted murder in Collier's shooting, Wilson faces six to 30 years.
If found guilty of aggravated assault involving the child who was in the apartment at the time of the shooting, Wilson faces up to six years. If convicted of aggravated robbery, he faces 10 to 40 or life.
Prosecutors have included firearm enhancements on three of the charges. If a jury finds those enhancements to be true, Wilson could receive additional terms up to 15 years on each enhancement which must be served consecutively to time ordered for the underlying felony.
An enhancement for committing a felony in the presence of a child is filed with the attempted murder charge. That enhancement could mean up to 10 additional years, which must be served consecutive to any sentence ordered on the underlying felony.
Wilson is represented by Texarkana lawyer Jeff Harrelson. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Cotton is leading the prosecution.