Concord shooting death trial withdrawn, new evidence sent to state lab

The jury trial of 23-year old Concord resident Dylan J. Mansell that was set for May 30 at Appomattox County Circuit Court has been withdrawn, with charges at least temporarily dismissed.

Mansell was charged with felony voluntary manslaughter and felony unlawfully shooting in an occupied building after the Christmas Eve 2022 shooting death of 47-year-old Jimmy Edwards Adams, Jr., who lived in the same home.

At approximately 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, deputies from the Appomattox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an individual being shot at a private residence on Moore Drive.

Upon arrival, deputies and rescue personnel found Adams, Jr. suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, Adams died at the scene.

Appomattox County Commonwealth’s Attorney Les Fleet explained the decision to withdraw last week’s jury trial and drop current charges.

“We sent off newly gathered evidence to the state lab for analysis but results will not be back for six to eight months, which is outside the speedy trial provision,” Fleet said. “So, we Nolle Prossed the charges, and depending on the results of the labs we can either reindict the charges or not bring them back.”

No further information was provided because the case is still in the investigative process.

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