Lavelle Evans Wrongfully Convicted

On August 28, 2008, I was convicted of capital murder in Dallas, TX.  A friend of mine, Crystal Jenkins, had decided to testify for the prosecution in a drug case in which she and I were 2 of 4 codefendants.

The State’s theory/case is that Crystal was murdered to keep her from testifying against me.  But the State concealed important facts and documents.  For example, a summary of Crystal’s testimony for the drug trial shows that her testimony did not incriminate me in Arkansas, which is  where the drug case was pending.  Also, Crystal wrote affidavits to the Sheriff. Prosecutor, etc. exonerating me of the drug charges.  So, I actually needed her to testify.

In 2006, I was staying at my mother’s house in El Dorado, Arkansas awaiting trial.  On Friday, October 6th, Crystal spent the night at my mother’s house.  She pulled into the driveway about 9 pm and just sat there.  My cousin and I were working on his car and after about 30 minutes of her sitting there, I went over to see what was up.  She said her sister Felicia had put her out and that she had nowhere else to go.  She said her phone was disconnected and her car note was about due.  She was feeling down, and I told her to go inside and get in the bed.  Early the next morning, I woke her up.  We talked, I let her borrow one of my phones, and she left. 

Later that Saturday evening, she texted me, asked me what I was doing and said she was thinking of coming over.  I texted her back, told her that I was in the  yard working on the plumbing, and was about to leave.   I went to the Exxon/Subway shop on 19th and college.  I went back home.  Then I went to Garland Phifer’s house.  Asked Garland about a sewer shake, did a little drinking.  On the way, I passed by Exxon/Subway.  Crystal’s car was there.   I was there about a hour.  From there, I went to Franklin James’s house.  I sat with him and drank Seagrim’s Gin and Smirnoff Ice his girlfriend did her daughter’s hair.  When I finally left, it was late and I was tipsy.  

Meanwhile, The next morning. Sunday, October 8th, 2006, Crystal was found murdered in Dallas, Texas at approximately 7 am.  Reports say that there was a shot fired call made by a doctor who also saw a vehicle leaving the scene.  Police found footprints and a cell phone next to her body.

"For homicide detectives," the narrator pronounces in a gravelly timbre at the program's start, "the clock starts ticking the moment they are called. Their chance of solving a murder is cut in half if they don't get a lead within the first 48 hours."  

This is the infamous qoute that is repeated on every series of the The First 48 tv series.  The narrative of structure of every episode begins with murder.  There is dramatic tension that builds as investigators collect evidence, interview witnessess, and identify suspects, the climax occurs between suspect and detective during the episode's final interrogation. 

"Nearly every person charged with murder belongs to the same demographic: young, male, black, urban, poor, and without resources to challenge a television conglomerate like A&E."