Muncie teenager goes on trial for murder in Heekin Park shooting
MUNCIE, Ind. — Nearly two years after a young Muncie man was fatally shot in Heekin Park, a local teenager on Monday went on trial for his murder.
Jury selection was underway in the Delaware Circuit Court 2 trial of Aytae A. Seals, now 17.
Seals was 16 when he allegedly shot Martel Lavel Jones-Lampkins, 21, on June 22, 2021.
Jones-Lampkins was found by city police in the back seat of a vehicle parked on the east end of the city park. He died of his wounds three days later at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
According to court documents, the victim had "obvious severe trauma"" to his head caused by gunshots, and had also been shot in his legs.
More: Mental health professionals to examine Muncie murder defendant
Seals was arrested about four weeks after the homicide, and has since been held in the Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center. He will observe his 18th birthday on April 23.
Deputy prosecutors Maricel Driscoll and Joe Orick will present the state's case against the teenager, who is being defended by a former Delaware County prosecutor, Mark McKinney.
In Indiana, a murder conviction carries a maximum 65-year prison term.
Seals is also charged with dangerous possession of a handgun by a juvenile, a misdemeanor.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie teenager goes on trial for murder in Heekin Park shooting
