News

Jury convicts three of first-degree murder

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 11, 2019

BREVARD — A Transylvania County jury found three men guilty of first degree murder in the bloody stabbing death of an 18-year-old man who was found lying on a Brevard Street, District Attorney Greg Newman announced.

The jury of 10 women and two men deliberated for about six hours before returning guilty verdicts against Connell Hawkins, Chadley Norris and James Ray. Superior Court Judge Gary Gavenus sentenced all three men to life sentences, with no possibility of parole. All three co-defendants will, therefore, spend the remainder of their natural lives in prison confinement for the murder of 18 year old Saul Ayala on July 20, 2017 in Brevard.

A Transylvania County jury comprised of 10 women and 2 men deliberated for approximately 6 hours on Tuesday before returning guilty verdicts against Connell Hawkins, Chadley Norris and James Ray for First Degree Murder. All three men received life sentences by Superior Court Judge Gary Gavenus. Under North Carolina law, a life sentence for murder does not carry the possibility for any parole. All three co-defendants will, therefore, spend the remainder of their natural lives in prison confinement for the murder of 18 year old Saul Ayala on July 20, 2017 in Brevard. The three gave notice of their intention to appeal their verdicts and sentence. They will be transported to the North Carolina Department of Corrections to begin their life sentences.

Hawkins, 30, of 224 Windsor Court in Hendersonville, Norris, 36, of 89 Carolina Ave. in Brevard and Ray, 23, of 114 13th Street in Wilmington, were tried together in a trial that began on Nov. 12. Jury selection lasted eight days followed by a trial over eight days that included more than 30 witnesses and more than 180 exhibits.

Saul Ayala was found lying face down on Washington Avenue in Brevard and pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was the result of multiple stab wounds to his neck, chest and head. Ayala’s body also showed what was characterized by the medical examiner as defensive wounds on his arms and hands.

“This homicide is particularly brutal considering the number of stab wounds, the depth and length of the wounds, as well the age of the victim,” Newman said in a news release. “None of the defendants admitted to who actually did the stabbing, but North Carolina law allows us to charge and prosecute any and all persons for murder who conspired and acted together to bring about the death of someone.

"Our evidence was strong to establish that all three men on trial were directly involved in robbing and killing an 18-year-old kid. These co-defendants killed this kid, left him in the street like a piece of discarded garbage, took what little money he had, and then used his blood-stained money at a convenient store a few hours later like nothing happened. The clerk recognized the blood on both a 10 dollar and 20 dollar bill. We clearly cannot have people loose in our communities who behave worse than animals."

A fourth person also charged with murder, Nioka Metcalf, 36, of 42 Timothy’s Way in Pisgah Forest, testified on behalf of the state and was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday for what Newman said would be a reduced sentence. Metcalf drove the car that carried Hawkins, Norris and Ray from the murder scene. She also heard conversation between the other men about a plan to assault and rob Ayala before the murder.

The state also produced DNA evidence that placed the three co-defendants at the scene. Witnesses from the North Carolina State Crime Lab from both the labs in Edneyville and Raleigh testified about the DNA proof. Also, a deputy sheriff from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office in Wilmington appeared and explained how he obtained blood evidence from co-defendant Ray for DNA analysis. Facebook records, defendant interviews and other lay and law enforcement witnesses provided testimonial evidence in the trial. The murder weapon, a long blade knife, was recovered and shown to the jury.

“The Brevard Police performed an excellent investigation and the jury verdict very much supports the evidence they collected and developed," Newman said. "I am extremely proud of Assistant District Attorneys Beth Dierauf and Dave Mackusick for their hard work in preparing and presenting the case to our local jury. Everyone that lives in Transylvania County should have a high level of confidence in your law enforcement protection."