Secoriea Turner murder: Lead detective testifies against Julian Conley

Lead detective testifies against Julian Conley

Detective Jarion Shepherd, the lead investigator, spent hours on the witness stand as defense attorneys pressed him on evidence and documentation in the case. At times, the exchanges grew tense as Shepherd focused on jurors rather than the defense. The trial is expected to conclude by the end of this week.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The lead detective in the 2020 shooting death of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner took the stand Monday, as Julian Conley is on trial for the murder.

What they're saying:

Detective Jarion Shepherd, the lead investigator, spent hours on the witness stand as defense attorneys pressed him on evidence and documentation in the case. At times, the exchanges grew tense as Shepherd focused on jurors rather than the defense.

"What you just put on the table, ma’am, that’s just a lead supplement. That is not the entire case file," Shepherd said during one exchange.
Shepherd testified that witness statements and surveillance video pointed to a suspect wearing "a red shirt, white letters on the back, light pants, AR-15 and a satchel." He said those descriptions aligned with Conley.

FULL: Secoriea Turner murder trial day four

Testimony continued inthe trial of Julian Jamal Conley, the man accused in the 2020 shooting death of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner.

Defense attorneys questioned why no lineup was conducted. 

Shepherd responded that there was "no need because he [the witness] identified him from the news at that point," though defense attorneys argued that explanation "makes no sense."

Shepherd also said Turner’s mother, Charmaine Turner, gave a different description of suspects — men dressed in all black, whom she called "bounty hunters."

The backstory:

Conley faces multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder and gang-related offenses. Prosecutors allege Conley deliberately fired into the vehicle carrying Turner and her mother on July 4, 2020, near the site of protests following the police killing of Rayshard Brooks. Defense attorneys argue that the shooter was described as wearing black, while Conley was seen wearing red that night.

Last week, the defense requested a mistrial after Atlanta Police Detective Gereon Shepherd identified Conley during testimony about video evidence, despite the judge’s earlier warning against improper identification. The judge denied the request, telling jurors they would be responsible for deciding who appeared in the footage.

Dig deeper:

Conley’s co-defendant, Jerrion McKinney, entered an Alford plea earlier this month, acknowledging prosecutors had enough evidence to convict while maintaining his innocence. McKinney was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

What's next:

The trial is expected to conclude by the end of this week.