BREAKING THURS. P.M. – Jurors find Issiah Ross guilty of second degree murder of Devin Clark, but were hung on whether he killed Lyric Woods. Judge imposed a 20-25 year prison sentence for Ross, now 21.
Jury had told judge Wednesday they were divided 8-4 on Woods (without revealing in which direction); they also said they had arrived at verdict on Clark’s death, but did not reveal it.
The judge sent them back to deliberate again Thursday morning and afternoon, but they returned, announcing they were still divided over Woods’ death. Visiting superior court judge Stephanie Reese then declared a mistrial in the charge for Woods’ death.
The Orange County District Attorney’s office will have to decide whether to seek a retrial on Woods’ death.
Ross will receive credit for time served thus far (about 39 months); he’ll also get psychological treatment, and educational/vocational training while imprisoned.
Ross’ attorneys have notice of appeal. A decision on retrying Ross for Woods’ death has been tentatively scheduled for March.
Ross had testified that Clark had killed Woods because she wouldn’t have sex with him, and that he had killed Clark in self defense after Clark had produced a gun.
Ross testified last week that he had given Clark a ride – who planned to meet up with Woods for sex after she sneaked out of her house late Friday, September 16 – feared for his life when Clark began brandishing a weapon following an argument over sex with Woods.
DNA swabs taken from Clark and Woods confirmed that the victims had engaged in some type of sexual activity that night but excluded Ross as a “contributor.”
Ross had given Clark a ride to meet Woods that night in exchange for a promise of sex, based on earlier evidence and testimony in the trial.
The defense has contended that Clark shot Woods during the argument and then turned the gun on Ross, who wrestled Clark for it before Ross got the gun and shot Clark in self-defense. Ross’ defense portrayed him (he’s now 21) as a “kid” who had sneaked away from his own home the night of September 16, 2022, in hopes of having sex, and was trying to save his own life when he fatally shot Clark with a 9mm handgun that the defendant claims Clark had brought with him. The gun used in the murders was never recovered.
To read earlier coverage:
Jury ready with one verdict, divided on another: https://alamancenews.com/wed-jury-ready-with-verdict-on-one-victim-divided-on-another/
Jury deliberations begin: https://alamancenews.com/double-murder-case-in-hillsborough-now-with-jury/
Here’s a summary of the closing arguments, instructions to jury, and their initial questions back to the judge: https://alamancenews.com/jurors-in-double-murder-case-begin-deliberations/
Here’s coverage in the Jan. 22, 2026 edition:
- Issiah Mekhi Ross, the former Eastern Alamance High School student who’s charged with double murder, took the witness stand this week to testify: https://alamancenews.com/defendant-takes-stand-in-double-murder-case/
- Meanwhile, his friend and sometime lover testified that Ross confessed to the murders the day after having committed them: https://alamancenews.com/former-friend-male-lover-testifies-that-defendant-confessed-double-murders-to-him-days-after/
First trial week’s stories:
- Parents reveal growing dread as they hadn’t heard from their teenagers: https://alamancenews.com/double-murder-trial-testimony-day-1-grieving-parents-relay-growing-concerns-when-they-couldnt-reach-their-teens/
- Difficulty in seeking juvenile suspect leads to change in state law, named for murder victims: https://alamancenews.com/murder-case-prompts-legislators-to-change-wanted-law/
