Skinner’s grandmother reacts to mistrial ruling

Ceresa Spry had hopeful words when she left the Wicomico County Circuit Courthouse on Thursday. She says, “I’m not looking at it as a loss. No, I’m not.”  

Spry is the grandmother of twenty- year old James “LJ” Skinner. He was shot and killed during an apparent home invasion last May. On Thursday, the case for his apparent killer’s accomplice 20- year- old Daequan White, was declared a mistrial.

Spry says, “It’s a tragedy. These young kids just don’t really understand what they’re doing. It’s sad it really is.”

White was facing fifteen counts in court on Thursday. The one carrying the most weight was first degree murder. The jury told the judge they couldn’t reach a verdict on any of those charges.

The state argued that White was in the home on Bryn Mar Avenue at the time of Skinner’s murder holding a thirteen- year- old girl at gun point; while his friend Shaquan Wallace shot and killed Skinner in the next room. The witnesses they brought to the stand supported this theory.

Apparently the 13-year-old picked out White in a police photo lineup in 14 seconds. The state also had a wire recording obtained by Wallace’s cell mate. In the recording, Wallace could be heard saying he shot Skinner and that his “brother Daequan” was in the living room.  However, the defense says White was sleeping three miles away.

The state plans to try this case again. Skinner’s grandmother hopes the jury will remember the life that was lost when making their decision.

Spry continues, “LJ was very sweet, kind, loving, and kept you laughing all the time.”

Right now there’s no set date for Daequan White’s next jury trial.