Shaniya Davis -- Found Deceased 11/16/09

Wasn't Shaniya's mother pregnant and didn't she have the baby not too long ago??? Well, I hope the new child is treated better where ever it is...at least Antoinette won't be caring for it...

I cannot even look at his face because I find him so loathsome and vile.

He is a sneaky looking some one. I would think that the pic of him holdng that child would hang him, but I do not have much faith in our justice system anymore.
I saw a little short on TV last night. They were talking to O.J. He is still the same smirking person he ever was. He didn't look a bit unhappy.
I won't even mention the other case that I am thinking about.

Trial date set for 5-year-old Shaniya Davis' accused killer

Published: 04:25 PM, Fri Aug 10, 2012
By Paul Woolverton
Staff writer

The murder trial for the man who allegedly bought, raped and killed 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in 2009 is scheduled for Feb. 18.

Mario Andrette McNeill will go on trial more than three years after Shaniya's death. The girl's mother also faces charges; her trial is scheduled for Feb. 18, too, but only one of the cases will go forward then, said Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West.

It hasn't been determined which trial will start first nor whether they will be conducted back-to-back.

Read more: http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2012/08/10/1196387

Published: 08:57 PM, Tue Aug 14, 2012

Editorial: Shaniya's case shows flaws in legal system

In a region where murders are a recurring news story, few keep track of them. We note the murder itself, the capture (we hope) of the accused killer, and then the murder trial.

We would note the executions, too, if we had them anymore. But most convicted murderers simply live out their lives in a continuous loop of legal appeals.

We doubt anyone's forgotten about this one, though. Most people would instantly recognize the sweet, smiling face of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis, who was killed in 2009 in a way that shocked even the most numbed news consumers - and the hardest-shelled detectives as well.

Read more:

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2012/08/15/1197089

Shaniya Davis' accused killer Mario Andrette McNeill claims innocence in letters

Published: 07:22 AM, Thu Feb 21, 2013

By Michael Futch
Staff writer

Mario Andrette McNeill denies raping and killing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in handwritten letters sent to The Fayetteville Observer.

McNeill, 32, is scheduled to stand trial April 8 in Cumberland County Superior Court. He faces the death penalty if convicted of the November 2009 killing.

He claims innocence in two letters postmarked Feb. 15 and addressed from the Cumberland County Detention Center. The Observer received the letters Wednesday.

In one, McNeill writes: "I did not take or kidnap Shaniya Davis. I did not purchase, buy, trade, sell or exchange Shaniya Davis. I did not molest, sexually assault, rape or ravish Shaniya Davis. I did not kill, murder, or take Shaniya Davis's life, nor did I have any prior or beforehand knowledge as to what was to and/or did occur."

Read more: http://fayobserver.com/articles/2013/02/20/1238618?sac=fo.local

Letter One

Letter Two

Judge denies second continuance for Shaniya Davis murder trial

Published: 07:26 PM, Tue Apr 02, 2013

By Michael Futch
Staff writer

Lawyers for the man accused of raping and killing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis were denied a second continuance in the case Tuesday in Cumberland County Superior Court.

Mario Andrette McNeill's lawyers said they needed more time to consult with their experts.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons, who is scheduled to try the case, turned down the request.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the capital murder trial.

Read more:

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/02/1247744?sac=fo.local

Court docs: Shaniya Davis' aunt dated alleged killer



Updated at 05:16 PM today
By Nicole Carr

FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- On Monday, the trial for one of the most notorious murder cases in the state in the last decade will begin.

In 2009, 5-year-old Shaniya Davis was given up by her mother to settle a drug debt. The little girl was raped and murdered and dumped in the woods.

Mario McNeill, her accused murderer, goes on trial Monday. In an attempt to delay the trial, stacks of last-minute motions were filed this week.

Through court documents, ABC11 learned that McNeill may have known Shaniya's family long before her murder.

Read more:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9051858

5-Year-Old Shaniya Davis

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/gallery?section=news&id=7110067&photo=1

Searcher recalls day that he helped find body of missing 5-year-old Fayetteville girl

By MARTHA WAGGONER Associated Press
April 06, 2013 - 12:55 pm EDT

RALEIGH, North Carolina — Jeff Riccio will always remember the moment when a group of police officers he was training found the body of a 5-year-old girl among deer carcasses in a ravine off a rural highway.

The dog instructor was training canine police officers from the U.S. Virgin Islands when one found Shaniya Davis, a Fayetteville girl who had been missing for almost a week.

"I'll never forget it," said Riccio, 29, who now owns his own dog training business in Middleborough, Massachusetts "I'll never forget that day. I'll never forget those moments. They're definitely ingrained in me forever. I'll never forget it. Ever."

Read more: http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/a81d9438eb0540e89d84788164348cfb/NC--Girl-Disappears-NC

Jury selection to start in Shaniya Davis murder trial

Updated at 09:02 AM - April 8, 2013

WTVD - Raleigh, NC




FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- The trial for one of the most notorious murder cases in the state in the last decade begins Monday.

In 2009, Shaniya Davis was given up by her mother to allegedly settle a drug debt. Authorities said the 5-year-old girl was raped and murdered and then dumped in the woods.

The man accused of the crime, 32-year-old Mario Andrette McNeill, has denied the allegations.

In an attempt to delay the trial, stacks of last-minute motions were filed last week. However, the attempt failed, jury selection begins Monday and is expected to last two to three weeks.

Read more:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9056587
~~~~~

Photos of Shaniya Davis: Fayetteville girl murdered (27 photos):

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/gallery?section=news&id=7110067&photo=1&pid=9056587

Published: 07:42 AM, Mon Apr 08, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Mario McNeill's murder trial in killing of Shaniya Davis set to begin


Staff photo by Raul R. Rubiera
Mario Andrette McNeill with his lawyers Monday morning at the Cumberland County Courthouse.


By Michael Futch
Staff writer

The capital murder trial for Mario Andrette McNeill, the man accused of killing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis, begins this morning in Cumberland County Superior Court.

Jury selection is expected to take at least two weeks.

McNeill, 32, will face a jury that could sentence him to death. Charges against him include first-degree murder, child rape, kidnapping, child abuse, human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a child.

Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West anticipates the entire trial to last about six to eight weeks.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons is presiding over the trial.

Read more:

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/08/1248550?sac=fo.local

Superior Court of CUMBERLAND County

Defendant
MCNEILL,MARIO,ANDRETTE

Date of
Birth
04/30/1980

Court
Date
04/08/2013

Court
Room
004A

Session
AM

Case
Number
2009CRS065760

Citation
Number

There are 4 case numbers. See below for the other 3.


MCNEILL,MARIO,ANDRETTE 04/30/1980 04/08/2013 004A AM 2009CRS066040
MCNEILL,MARIO,ANDRETTE 04/30/1980 04/08/2013 004A AM 2009CRS066041
MCNEILL,MARIO,ANDRETTE 04/30/1980 04/08/2013 004A AM 2013CRS000696

To be able to click on the case numbers for detailed info, please go to this Link:

http://www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/calendars.Criminal.do?county=250&court=CRS&defendant=McNeill&start=0&navindex=0&submit=Submit+Query

You may have to enter McNeill's last name to be able to view info at the above Link.

http://www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/calendars/CriminalQuery.html
State of North Carolina - District and Superior Court Query



http://www.nccourts.org/Default.asp
Home - State of North Carolina -- The North Carolina Court System

http://www.wral.com/news/local/page/6459688/
WRAL - Raleigh, NC Current as of 4/8/13

WRAL.com archive: Shaniya Davis case

Shaniya Nicole DavisFive-year-old Shaniya Nicole Davis was reported missing from her Fayetteville home by her mother on Nov. 10, 2009. Volunteer searchers found her body six days later in the woods off N.C. Highway 87 near the Lee-Harnett county line.

Latest stories

•More charges filed in Fayetteville girl's kidnapping, death
•Trial in Fayetteville girl's kidnapping, death postponed
•Judge denies bid by girl's accused killer to avoid death penalty trial
•Trial for Shaniya Davis' accused killer to begin in February
•Mother, friend plead not guilty in Fayetteville girl's death
More stories

Latest videos

•Was information withheld in Shaniya Davis case?
•Web only: Fayetteville police chief reflects on month
•DSS not releasing info in Shaniya Davis case
•Web only: Funeral for Shaniya Davis
•Slain girl's grandmother: 'He's a maggot'
More videos

Documents

•Search of seized electronic equipment
•Request for Mario McNeill DNA
•Search of HP Mini 1000 computer
•Search of Virgin Mobile cell phone
•Search of Garmin Nuvi GPS
More documents

Other links

•911 call in Shaniya Davis disappearance
•Candlelight vigils for Shaniya Davis

Published: 02:04 PM, Mon Apr 08, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

16 potential jurors excused in Shaniya Davis case this morning

By Michael Futch
Staff writer

No jurors had been seated in the Shaniya Davis murder trial by lunch break today.

The judge said he expects the lawyers to agree on at least a few jurors by the end of the day in the trial of Mario McNeill, but court officials have said jury selection could take up to two weeks.

Snipped:

During the morning session, 16 prospective jurors from the original pool of 97 had been dismissed for various reasons, including medical conditions, a scheduled surgery and status as an enrolled student.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons spent time summarizing legal procedures.

The remaining 81 prospective jurors were then divided into seven panels. Those on three panels were asked to return to the jury room after lunch at 2:30 p.m., while the four other panels were excused for the day but must call back for further instructions after 5 p.m.

Read more:

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/08/1248550?sac=fo.local

McNeill trial for 2009 killing of Shaniya Davis underway

Posted: Apr 06, 2013 3:07 PM CDT Updated: Apr 08, 2013 1:15 PM CDT

By Brandon Herring
WNCT - Greenville, NC


Snipped:

Judge James F. Ammons Jr. said he hoped jury selection would be finished by the end of the week, but he said the process could continue into next week. Ammons, prosecutors and McNeill's defense attorneys agreed they would seat at least 3 alternates to the 12-person jury.

Snipped:

Before the jury selection process started Monday morning, the judge and attorney discussed several logistics of the trial. They agreed the trial would be scheduled for Monday through Thursday each week, allowing a day for the attorneys to work at their offices on Fridays. The trial is expected to last several weeks.

Read more and view video:

http://www.wnct.com/story/21898551/searcher-recalls-day-he-helped-find-nc-girls-body


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Per this article, the trial will be Monday through Thursday. There will be at least 3 alternates to the 12 person jury.

Mario McNeill trial begins

Published on Apr 8, 2013
The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Jury selection starts in the murder trial of Mario Andrette McNeill. He's charged in the 2009 murder of 5 year old Shaniya Davis.
~~~~~~~

This video shows Mario McNeill entering the court room, etc. Also. a snip of Shaniya Davis' father.

Hello Ann, any word on if the trial will be aired?

Hi, lost!

I am checking on it now. Hopefully, I will have a response in the next day or so.

I hope this trial is "live streamed".

WRAL - Raleigh, NC did an exceptional job of "live streaming" the Jason Young trial last year. I hope they "live steam" this one!

This is a horrific murder case of an innocent 5 year old child.

It seems 2009 was a year of some horrific murders of innocent children.

Published: 03:44 PM, Mon Apr 08, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Mario McNeill weighs guilty plea in Shaniya Davis murder; guilty plea would bring sentence of life without parole



Staff photo by Raul R. Rubiera

Mario Andrette McNeill with his lawyers Monday morning at the Cumberland County Courthouse.


By Michael Futch
Staff writer

Mario McNeill has until Tuesday morning to decide whether to plead guilty in Cumberland County Superior Court to the rape and murder of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in 2009.

If he were to plead guilty, McNeill would avoid a trial and the risk that a jury would sentence him to death. Instead, he would be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons this afternoon denied a request from McNeill's lawyers to make the case non-capital.

McNeill this morning admitted that he took Shaniya from a trailer park off Murchison Road and brought her to a Lee County hotel, though he denies killing her.

Read more:

http://fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/08/1248550?nid=
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Per this article, there may not be a trial. Mario McNeill has until tomorrow (Tuesday, 4-9-13) morning to decide if he will enter a guilty plea. If he enters a guilty plea, he will be sentenced to "life without parole."

This trial will not be streamed "live."

Snipped from an e-mail I received from a source in NC:

The media is not allowed to live stream the proceedings.

April 8, 2013

Posted: 5:00 a.m.
Updated: 6:48 p.m.

WRAL - Raleigh, NC

Plea deal offered in Fayetteville girl's 2009 death


Mario Andretti McNeill walks
into a Fayetteville courtroom on
April 8, 2013, as jury selection
begins in his death-penalty trial.
McNeill is charged with raping and
killing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in
November 2009.


Fayetteville, N.C. — As jury selection began Monday in the capital murder case of the man accused of raping and killing a 5-year-old Fayetteville girl more than three years ago, prosecutors offered a plea deal to end what is expected to be a two-month trial.

Snipped:

Prosecutors said they wouldn't seek the death penalty against McNeill if he pleads guilty. The defense has until Tuesday to accept or reject the deal.

The deal came after Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons denied a request from defense attorneys that the case proceed as a non-capital trial.

Public defenders Harold "Butch" Pope and Terry Alford argued that McNeill's previous lawyer allowed him to make statements that helped investigators find Shaniya's body under an agreement that the death penalty wouldn't be pursued in the case.

Ammons said there is no evidence of such an agreement.


Read more and view video:

http://www.wral.com/plea-deal-offered-in-fayetteville-girl-s-2009-death/12310021/

Deal could end capital trial before it begins

As jury selection began Monday in the capital murder case of the man accused of raping and killing a 5-year-old Fayetteville girl more than three years ago, prosecutors offered a plea deal to end what is expected to be a two-month trial.

April 8, 2013 - 5:48 pm
WRAL - Raleigh, NC

Source:
http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/12318559/#/vid12318559

Could You Qualify to Be Selected As a Juror?

The ins and out of jury duty, a few rules and a big learning curve in the law and legal terms.

By Kelly Twedell
Fort Bragg - Patch
Fort Bragg, NC

April 8, 2013


Mario McNeill faces trial by jury on seven charges that include first-degree murder, first-degree rape of a child, first-degree kidnapping, human trafficking with a child victim, sexual servitude with a child victim, sexual offense of a child and indecent liberties with a child.

The ethnic breakdown and sex of the 87 juror candidates appeared to consist of: 20 white males, 18 black males, four males of other ethnic backgrounds, 25 white females, 19 black females, and one other female of a different race.

Read more:

http://fortbragg.patch.com/articles/could-you-qualify-to-be-selected-as-a-juror

Trial of Shaniya Davis' alleged killer could be skipped
If suspect enters guilty plea

POSTED: 11:07 AM Apr 08 2013
UPDATED: 4:37 PM Apr 08 2013

WCTI - Greenville, NC




FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -
There's was a major twist Monday in the trial for the man accused in one of the most notorious murders in the state.

Mario McNeill, 32, is charged with raping and killing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in Nov. 2009.

Jury selection got underway Monday morning but ABC11 has learned that the trial could be over by Tuesday,

The state is willing to skip the trial and go straight to sentencing if McNeill enters a guilty plea.

Snipped:

Judge Ammons also told Shaniya and McNeill's family and friends who were in court Monday that, "If something is happening in the courtroom and you don't like it or it upsets you, you need to leave."

Jury selection for McNeill's capital murder trial is expected to last two to three weeks. About 15 or 16 jurors are slated to be selected, with three alternates.

Dozens of witnesses will be called during the trial, which is expected to last three months. Witnesses range from family members to detectives, and even investigators in the Virgin Islands.

There's a chance McNeill could testify, but it will be determined further along in the trial.

Read more:

http://www.wcti12.com/news/Trial-of-Shaniya-Davis-alleged-killer-could-be-skipped/-/13530444/19660924/-/5r49if/-/index.html

Published: 10:40 PM, Mon Apr 08, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Mario McNeill weighs guilty plea in Shaniya Davis murder; prosecution offers of life sentence without parole


Shaniya's father, Bradley Lockhart, sits in the courtroom.
At left are Tiera Allen and Cheyenne Lockhart.


By Michael Futch
Staff writer

Mario McNeill has until today to decide whether to plead guilty in Cumberland County Superior Court to the rape and murder of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in 2009.

McNeill, 32, is facing the death penalty.

If he pleads guilty, McNeill will avoid a trial and the risk that a jury could sentence him to death, and prosecutors say they would go straight to sentencing, which would mean a life sentence without parole for McNeill.

The trial is scheduled to resume today at 9:30 a.m.

Read more:

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/08/1248550?sac=fo.local



Staff photo by Raul R. Rubiera
Mario McNeill enters Cumberland County Superior Court
on Monday, the first day of his murder trial in the death
of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis.
~~~~~

Above names under photos bolded by: Ann - TX

The trial resumes at 9:30 a.m. EDT today.

Mario McNeill will have to decide this morning if he will plead guilty to the rape and murder of 5 year old Shaniya Davis.

If he pleads guilty, the media has reported that the Prosecution will go into the sentencing phase immediately.

If McNeill pleads guilty, he will be sentenced to life without parole. There will be no trial.

I am monitoring the local media!

Published: 06:32 AM, Tue Apr 09, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Mario McNeill weighs guilty plea in Shaniya Davis murder; prosecution offers of life sentence without parole



Staff photo by Raul R. Rubiera
Defense lawyers Terry Alford, left, and Butch Pope talk to their
client, Mario McNeill, on Monday, the first day of jury selection
for his trial on charges in the rape and murder of 5-year-old
Shaniya Davis in 2009.


By Michael Futch
Staff writer

Mario McNeill has until today to decide whether to plead guilty in Cumberland County Superior Court to the rape and murder of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in 2009.

McNeill, 32, is facing the death penalty.

If he pleads guilty, McNeill will avoid a trial and the risk that a jury could sentence him to death, and prosecutors say they would go straight to sentencing, which would mean a life sentence without parole for McNeill.

The trial is scheduled to resume today at 9:30 a.m.

Read more:

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/08/1248550?sac=fo.local

Breaking News:

Mario Andretti McNeill maintained his innocence Tuesday and rejected a plea deal in the capital murder case of a 5-year-old Fayetteville girl. Prosecutors say McNeill raped, kidnapped and murdered Shaniya Davis in 2009. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

Source:

http://www.wral.com/
WRAL - Raleigh, NC (Homepage)

Published: 09:44 AM, Tue Apr 09, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC


Mario McNeill rejects plea deal in Shaniya Davis murder case

By Michael Futch
Staff writer

Mario McNeill this morning rejected an offer to plead guilty to the murder and rape of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis and instead will take a chance that a jury will convict him and sentence him to death for the 2009 crime.

If he had taken the deal, McNeill, who maintains his innocence, would have been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The decision was announced around 9:30 a.m. today. Afterward, potential jurors returned to the courtroom for resumption of jury selection.

Read more:

http://fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/09/1249243?sac=fo.local

April 9, 2013

Posted: 30 minutes ago
Updated: 8 minutes ago

WRAL - Raleigh, NC

Man rejects plea deal, maintains innocence in Fayetteville girl's death





Fayetteville, N.C. — A man accused of raping and killing a 5-year-old Fayetteville girl in 2009 rejected a plea deal Tuesday and said he wants to proceed with a trial, which could send him to death row if convicted.

Prosecutors said they wouldn't seek the death penalty against Mario Andretti McNeill, 32, if he pleaded guilty. However, he maintained his innocence at Tuesday's hearing and said he did not kill Shaniya Davis, whose body was found in a kudzu patch off N.C. Highway 87 near the Lee-Harnett county line on Nov. 16, 2009.

Read more:

http://www.wral.com/man-rejects-plea-deal-maintains-innocence-in-fayetteville-girl-s-death/12320270/

How on earth can this denom think he won't be convicted? We've got him on video tape with the baby at the hotel!

The mother should suffer the same fate as this monster. I remember crying when this story broke.

That little girl was loved and cherished by her father and his family. Its just so sickening.

Perhaps its better he takes this all the way through a trial because the death penalty is what he deserves.

And he'll get it too. Unlike Jodi Arias - there will be no sympathy for him.

Hi, Mari 68!

I am glad he declined the plea deal. This monster deserves the death penalty.

I do hope he gets the death penalty.

"Justice for precious Shaniya Davis!"

Published: 04:11 PM, Tue Apr 09, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Mario McNeill rejects plea, risks facing death in Shaniya Davis murder case



Staff photo by Raul Rubiera
Mario Andrette McNeill enters the courtroom on the second day of
his trial on Tuesday, April 9, 2013. He is accused of the rape and
murder of Shaniya Davis in 2009.

By Michael Futch
Staff writer

Mario McNeill this morning rejected an offer to plead guilty to the murder and rape of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis, opting instead to risk the chance a jury could convict him and sentence him to death.

"He maintains his innocence and respectfully declines the plea offer," said Harold "Butch" Pope, one of McNeill's lawyers, in a Cumberland County courtroom.

If McNeill had taken the deal, he would have been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2009 crime.

After McNeill declined the plea offer through Pope, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons said the offer had expired.

Snipped:

Potential jurors returned to the courtroom for resumption of jury selection. No jurors had been chosen as of 3:30 p.m.

Read more:

http://fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/09/1249243?sac=fo.local

Thanks Ann for all the updates. Unbelievable that he didn't take the deal, he just wants to hurt everyone he can with A trial I believe. I do hope he gets the death penalty too. Rotten monster.

yw, Lost!

I wish this trial was being streamed "live."

We will have to follow it via mainstream media.

I have found the reporter with The Fayetteville Observer (local newspaper) is doing an excellent job of covering this trial so far (jury selection).

Published: 06:42 AM, Wed Apr 10, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Mario McNeill rejects plea, risks facing death in Shaniya Davis murder case



Staff photo by Raul R. Rubiera
Mario McNeill sits in Cumberland County Superior Court during
the second day of jury selection in his murder trial.


By Michael Futch
Staff writer

No jurors have been selected to try Mario McNeill following the second day of proceedings in his capital murder trial in Cumberland County Superior Court.

On Tuesday, another four prospective jurors were excused from the Shaniya Davis case, where McNeill is facing seven charges, including first-degree murder and first-degree rape of a child.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons dismissed one potential juror who prosecutors wanted.

Read more:

http://fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/09/1249243?sac=fo.local

Published: 07:07 AM, Wed Apr 10, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Kirby: Mario McNeill's gamble could bring him death


By Bill Kirby Jr.


He'll roll the dice.

Mario Andrette McNeill says he did not rape nor take the life of a 5-year-old child, and he'll put his faith and fate in the hands of a jury.

"We got with Mr. McNeill," Harold "Butch" Pope, a defense lawyer, on Tuesday told Cumberland County Senior Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons. "He maintains his innocence and respectfully declines the plea offer."

The judge had given McNeill an opportunity on Monday, in the trial's first day, to strike a plea of guilt in exchange for a life sentence without parole.

Tuesday, McNeill was calm.

He was collected.

He was composed and appeared relaxed as Pope told the judge there will be no deals or bargaining in the capital murder case.

Snipped:

Billy West, the district attorney, has described Shaniya Davis' death as "especially heinous, atrocious and cruel."

Snipped:

"This is a case of a rape and/or sex offense against a 5-year-old victim who was helpless to prevent her asphyxiation," West said in October 2011. "Her body was left in a ditch after she was asphyxiated, and this was done, allegedly, by someone she knew and perhaps even trusted."

Read more:

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/10/1249295?sac=fo.local

tweets from Michael Futch, Staff Reporter - The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Michael Futch ‏@FO_Futch 40m
Seven jurors chosen in #ShaniyaDavis case.

Michael Futch‏@FO_Futch
Defense asks for slight break to confer with defendant MArio McNeill in #ShaniyaDavis case. @

Source:

https://twitter.com/fayobserver
twitter - Fayetteville Observer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Per the above tweet from Michael Futch 40 minutes ago, 7 jurors have been chosen.

April 9, 2013

Mario McNeill Maintains Innocent Plea; Trial Moves Forward

Juror candidates are interrogated in the jury box through the remainder of the week.

By Kelly Twedell
Fort Bragg - Patch
Fort Bragg, NC




Tuesday morning inside Cumberland County's courtroom 4A, Mario McNeill maintained his innocent plea, turning down a life sentence offered to him on Monday by proscutors.

After his lawyer "Butch" Pope spoke on his behalf, it was determined that the case would proceed to a jury trial, which could end in a death sentence if McNeill is convicted on charges of raping and killing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in 2009.

Read more:

http://fortbragg.patch.com/articles/mario-mcneil-maintains-innocent-plea-the-trial-moves-forward

Published: 08:54 PM, Wed Apr 10, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC


Seven jurors selected for Shaniya Davis trial today

By Michael Futch
Staff writer

After being excused for the week, the seven jurors selected Wednesday in the capital murder trial of Mario McNeill are being called back in because of concerns over possible exposure to news media.

On Wednesday morning, five women and two men were selected to hear the case against McNeill, who is accused of raping and killing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in November 2009.

Twelve regular jurors must be seated along with three or four alternate jurors before testimony begins. The trial is expected to last about eight weeks.

Read more:

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/10/1249541?sac=fo.local

http://fortbragg.patch.com/articles/the-hidden-crime-of-human-trafficking-and-its-victims
Fort Bragg Patch - Fort Bragg, NC -- 4/9/13

The Hidden Crime of Human Trafficking and Its Victims

Snipped:

Human trafficking is a buzz word in our community. Fayetteville's ongoing trial of Mario A. McNeill, accused of raping and killing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in November 2009, includes a charge of human trafficking.

Read more about the issue of human trafficking and what is being done to aid victims of this crime that often flies under the radar due to its dark nature:

This is an update regarding cameras in the court room when testimony starts in the Mario McNeill capital murder trial.

The following is a snip from an e-mail I have received in response to an inquiry I made with WRAL - Raleigh, NC.

WRAL is the TV station in Raleigh, NC that "live streamed" the Jason Young trial and the coverage was exceptional.

Snipped from personal e-mail (no link will be provided):

The judge is allowing cameras in the courtroom but not streaming video coverage. So, we will have video roundups of testimony nightly, as well as extended coverage online that goes beyond what we can cover on TV.

Published: 07:41 PM, Thu Apr 11, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

2 more jurors seated in Shaniya Davis murder trial


By Michael Futch
Staff writer

Two more jurors were selected Thursday in the capital murder trial of Mario McNeill, and one previously selected was released, bringing the number of seated jurors to eight.

"All right. We're rolling backward now," said Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons, who is trying the case.

McNeill, 32, is accused of raping and killing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in November 2009.

Thus far, the seated jury includes five women and three men.

Court resumes today at 9:30 a.m.

Read more:

http://fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/11/1249788?sac=fo.local

Published: 01:33 PM, Fri Apr 12, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Two more jurors seated for Mario McNeill's murder trial

By Michael Futch
Staff writer

Two more jurors were selected this morning in the Mario McNeill capital murder trial, while another was excused for military obligations.

At the lunch break in this, the Shaniya Davis case, nine jurors have been seated - seven women and two men.

One potential juror, a female, remains in the jury box with two more prospective jurors expected to be called from the pool after the break and questioned by the State and defense.

Read more:

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/12/1250067?sac=fo.local

This guy should have taken the deal.

There's no way he won't get death for this atrociousness.

Mari, I am glad McNeill did not take the "deal."

He deserves nothing less than the death penalty for the horrendous crimes against precious 5 year old Shaniya Davis.

However, I understand what you are saying. To avoid the death penalty, he should have taken the deal.

Also, Shaniya's story needs to be told. The facts need to be made public.

He needs to wipe that smirk off of his face. in a video of him entering the court room (first day of jury selection), to me, he appeared "cocky" with a smirk on his face! JMO

Published: 06:50 PM, Fri Apr 12, 2013

The Fayetteville Observer - Fayetteville, NC

Nine jurors seated for Mario McNeill's murder trial


By Michael Futch
Staff writer

The Mario McNeill capital murder trial concluded for the week Friday with nine jurors selected.

Of those, seven are women and two are men.

Two jurors were seated Friday morning, while another was excused for military obligations.

An Army captain who had been seated Thursday was dismissed. He said he learned that morning his two-week training assignment had been moved up on the calendar and would interfere with his jury service. Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons said part of his thinking to excuse the soldier included the fact that the trial "had not started evidence."

Read more:

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/12/1250067?sac=fo.local