Detective testifies in double homicide trial: 'I think it's Jayshawn Johnson'

Nov. 2—WILKES-BARRE — Based on three encounters with Jayshawn Malik Johnson, Wilkes-Barre police Det. James Conmy testified he identified him on surveillance videos as the gunman who fatally shot two men and seriously injured a third man outside Bo's on Main on Jan. 30, 2021.

Conmy testified Wednesday during Johnson's Luzerne County jury trial before Judge David W. Lupas in the deaths of Damian Thomas, 32, and Maurice Chapman, 31, and permanently injuring Quan Cade Jr.

Cade underwent several surgeries and lost sight in his right eye.

The shooting was recorded with footage shown to jurors several times by District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, First District Attorney Anthony G. Ross and Assistant District Attorney Gerry Scott.

While prosecutors are attempting to convince jurors Johnson, 22, was the gunman from video footage and Conmy's identification, defense Attorney David V. Lampman II is hammering away at that strategy.

Lampman told jurors Conmy mistakenly identified Johnson while noting prosecutors have no direct evidence, such as fingerprints, the firearm and a pair of Nike Air Jordan sneakers worn by the gunman.

In his opening statement to the jury Tuesday, Sanguedolce acknowledged their case is highly circumstantial.

As Sanguedolce played multiple surveillance videos from inside and outside Bo's on Main, Conmy said he recognized the gunman.

"I think it's Jayshawn Johnson, it looks like Jayshawn Johnson to me," Conmy told jurors.

Explaining how he knows Johnson, Conmy said he had three prior encounters with him dating back to 2018 and was monitoring Johnson's social media accounts in an unrelated case at the time of the fatal shooting at Bo's on Main. Conmy said he was aware Johnson used the name "Times Too" on his social media accounts.

Before Conmy testified, Sanguedolce called Johnson's friend, Tamara Dixon, as a hostile witness.

Dixon was reportedly with Johnson arriving at Bo's on Main where surveillance cameras recorded the two exchanging a black coat with white stripes and the word "White" on the back.

The coat was seized during a search of Dixon's Sherman Hills apartment and was worn by Johnson to cover up a backpack that was taken inside Bo's on Main prior to the shooting.

Prosecutors suspect a 9mm handgun was inside the backpack.

State police Trooper David Kittle, who processed the scene as a member of the Forensic Services Unit, testified Tuesday he recovered seven 9mm shell casings and two 9mm projectiles outside the night club.

Cade testified he was at Bo's on Main with a girlfriend and stepped outside to smoke a cigar when gunfire erupted. Cade said he did not know Thomas, Chapman and Johnson.

As for his injuries, Cade said his "face had to be (surgically) removed" to extract a projectile near his right eye.

"I'm still dealing with pain," Cade told jurors.

County Det. Charles Casey testified Johnson's Facebook account "Times Too" was deactivated shortly after the shooting. After Conmy identified the person in video footage, Casey said efforts were made to find Johnson at his known addresses, including North River Street in Plains Township.

Johnson was apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Miami, Fla, Casey said, noting he was returned to Luzerne County on March 23, 2021.

Testimony is expected to conclude Thursday.

Johnson is facing two counts each of criminal homicide and aggravated assault and a single count of criminal attempt to commit homicide.