A trial date has been set for May 9 for Gerrod Duane Ball here in Marion County. The charges are first-degree murder and burglary. The presiding judge will be Prentiss Harrell.
Ball is accused of killing Jaron Demont Burton on June 11, 2019, shortly after midnight following an alleged break-in at the home of Wendy Silas on Barbara Drive.
There was an exchange of gunfire, and Ball was shot in the leg. Columbia Police Department officers found Burton lying in the road. Responders tried to save Burton, but he did not survive.
Lt. Davey Bass said Ball fled the scene on foot but was caught within 20 minutes a few blocks away. Bass said several witnesses led to the identification of Ball as a suspect.
Burton was a graduate of East Marion High School and left behind two children.
