Jaylon Brown was convicted of one count of second-degree murder in the killing of Dararius Evans and one count of manslaughter in the killing of Aleysia Maynor after a four-day jury trial in 18th Judicial District Court in Iberville Parish.
District Judge Elizabeth Engolio, presided over the trial, which began on October 3. The jury deliberated for a little over 5 hours on Thursday, October 6, before returning the guilty verdicts. Brown, 24, of 8276 Keel Avenue, Baton Rouge, was remanded back to jail to await sentencing. Second degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence and the sentence for manslaughter is up to 40 years in prison at hard labor. Sentencing is set for November 30.
The double homicide occurred on December 28, 2019, on LSU Ag. Road in St. Gabriel. The three had planned to meet there. They then drove to Gonzales and back, and Brown shot Evans and Maynor in the car at the scene. Evans called 911 after he was shot. He was hospitalized and died the next day. Maynor died at the scene.
Brown told investigators several different stories, and ended up saying it was self-defense, but the evidence did not match his story. Brown led detectives to a storm drain in Baton Rouge, where he told them he threw the gun after the shootings.
Assistant District Attorneys Chad Aguillard, Timmy Collins, and Ali Meronek prosecuted the case for the DA’s Office. “We will not tolerate these crimes and violence in the 18th District,” said District Attorney Tony Clayton. “I thank the jury for its attention and service in this case. We will go after the criminals and we will work hard to present the evidence to put them away.”