A retrial has been ordered in the case of State v. Shaleza Ellis before Justice Damone Young at the Georgetown High Court after a juror reported being approached twice by the accused’s family following closing arguments. The judge is set to formally issue the ruling next Tuesday, when the trial was initially scheduled to resume.
Ellis was on trial for the murder of Latoya Haywood, who was stabbed on Christmas morning in 2019 at the intersection of Leopold and Breda streets in Georgetown. According to the prosecution, Ellis became enraged after Haywood spoke to her boyfriend, Alfie Garraway, the father of Haywood’s cousin’s child. Ellis allegedly exited a car with a knife but was pushed back inside. As the vehicle began to drive off, she allegedly stabbed Haywood once in the chest.
Haywood, 31, was hospitalized in a coma for nearly a month before succumbing to her injuries on January 23, 2020, at the Georgetown Public Hospital. A CT scan had revealed she was brain dead.
Ellis, of Charlotte Street, was initially reported to be on the run before her arrest. She was remanded to prison after being charged with Haywood’s murder and made her first court appearance before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty.
The trial, which was empanelled on February 5, included two video recordings of the incident and an eyewitness testimony. Closing arguments concluded on February 13. However, shortly after, a juror informed the court that Ellis’ relatives had approached him twice outside the courtroom.
Given the report of juror interference, the judge determined that a retrial was necessary to ensure fairness in the proceedings.
