A murder trial is underway this week in Putnam County Superior Court with a panel of jurors hearing presentations by attorneys regarding the shooting death of 32-year-old Frederick Lamar Scott, Jr. of Eatonton.
The accused shooter, Lajuan Peire Evans, 25, of Covington, pled not guilty to felony charges of malice murder, murder while in the commission of a felony, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
He is being represented by Attorney Barry Hazen, of Atlanta.
The shooting happened shortly before 6 p.m. on June 4, 2023, in the parking lot of the Shell Food Mart on East Sumter Street in Eatonton. Scott was taken to nearby Putnam General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell, Putnam County Sheriff’s Detective Lt. Harry Luke, and Sheriff Howard Sills immediately identified the shooter as Evans, and a manhunt ensued. Evans turned himself in on June 5, walking into the sheriff’s office front door accompanied by several family members.
The defense plans to present a case of use of force in self-defense, according to court records. Assistant District Attorney Blayne May’s response, revealed in court records, counters that excessive force is not justified and neither is force used in revenge for something the other person said or did.
A jury was selected on Monday, Feb. 19, and the trial began Tuesday, which is The Messenger’s press deadline. See next week’s newspaper for updates on the trial.