Aaron LaDaniel Lyons, the man on trial for the 2004 murder of John Deere was found guilty of one count of manslaughter and one count of armed robbery Thursday evening.

 

The verdict came after testimonies from the state’s remaining four witnesses including one from a second ex-girlfriend of Lyons’s, Lavatrus Harris. Harris spoke in detail about the events the morning of Jan. 16, 2004 when Deere was killed at his store, Pik & Pak on Highway 51 in Brookhaven. Harris’s account of the events of that morning matched the evidence brought forth by the state.

 

Lyons chose not to testify on his behalf. Before the jury was ushered out for deliberation, each side gave closing arguments while a picture of Deere hung over their heads from the courtroom projectors.

 

Sentencing for Lyons will take place Monday. 

 

Members of Deere’s family were offered a chance to deliver a statement. They chose to hold their statement until Monday, as the present moment was too emotional.

 

Editor’s Note: More information about the trial can be found in Friday’s issue.