Two teens will have a joint trial in Columbia murder case

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Prosecutors argued Tuesday that a single trial should be held for three teenages accused in a February murder in Columbia.

Boone County Judge Jeff Harris decided Samarion Robins and Oscar Ashford will have a joint trial, but it is still undecided if Tavan Williams-Patrick will be tried separately or with the other two.

The three are accused of a Feb. 19 shooting on McKee Street that took the life of 15-year-old Battle High School student Aubry Doxley, who was inside her home when she was shot and killed.

During the hearing, prosecutors argued the three should have a joint trial since they all have the same evidence against them and are charged as acting together.

Prosecutors told Harris the family should not have to sit through three separate trials and have to relive what happened on Feb 19. They argued a single trial would save time and resources.

The state brought forward emotional evidence in the hearing, saying there is body-camera footage of Doxley saying she feared she would die.

Ashford and Robins attorneys are in favor of a joint trial, however, Williams-Patrick's attorney was not.

Williams-Patrick's attorney argued he was at the hospital being treated for a gunshot wound when Ashford and Robins went to a party after the shooting and discussed what happened, so their statement should not be used against him.

Doxley's mother, Latoya Doxley told ABC 17 News she wants there to only be one trial.

"Joining the trials would be better for us, it won't only be me sitting through it," she said. "It will be my daughter's siblings, you know, my entire family."

It has been 10 months since the since Aubry Doxley's death and her mother says things have been difficult, but she stays strong for Aubry's siblings.

"I couldn't really shut down and not live, I have to take care of my other kids, it's not easy it's hard it hurts everyday but it has to be done," Doxley said.

Robins, Ashford and Williams-Patrick are charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.

According to court documents, the three were in a black Nissan when they pulled up to a home in the 1800 block of McKee Street and fired multiple shots from the car.

Doxley's mother told ABC 17 News that Aubry was lying in bed when shots came through the window and killed her.