Valdosta Daily Times

Local News

March 12, 2009

Murder indictment returned

VALDOSTA — A Valdosta man suspected of shooting and killing a convenience store clerk during a 2008 robbery has been formally charged.

A Lowndes County grand jury has indicted Daymon L. Heard, 20, on charges of malice murder, armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to information obtained from the Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office in Lowndes County.

Heard was arrested following the July 30, 2008, shooting death of 48-year-old Jay Patel, a Twin Lakes convenience store clerk. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. when a black male entered the Triangle Foods convenience store located on U.S. 41, took a soft drink up to the checkout counter, pulled out a 9mm handgun and shot Patel without saying a word, former Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office Capt. J.D. Yeager told The Times in July 2008.

Patel reportedly fell behind the counter and was shot three more times by the assailant.

Yeager said the gunman walked around the counter, emptied the cash drawer and left. However, he reportedly returned seconds later, stepping over Patel’s body to grab a pack of cigarettes before exiting the store.

A customer discovered a wounded Patel about 15 minutes later and alerted authorities.

Patel was transported to South Georgia Medical Center where he later died. He was married and had two children.

Authorities from Lowndes County, Lake Park, Remerton and Valdosta spent the remainder of the night searching for the offender while sheriff’s investigators reviewed the store surveillance tape and interviewed witnesses. The surveillance video revealed that the offender had come into the store a few minutes prior to the robbery to use the phone.

During the course of the investigation, various people came forward and identified Heard as the assailant, Yeager said.

Heard was captured the following evening at his girlfriend’s house in Jacksonville, Fla., after a 24-hour manhunt.

Witness statements also led authorities to believe that Heard was connected to a residential burglary in the Lake Park area on the same afternoon of the robbery and shooting. As a result, he was indicted on one count of burglary in October 2008, according to indictment papers.

Text Only
Local News
  • lowndes_outline.jpg Lake Park: Council members resign

    Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120206 chinese at Valwood.jpg Valwood goes global

    Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120207 w gordon home1.jpg City cuts ribbon on new home

    With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120206 Berrien Sherrie WIlliams.jpg Berrien clinic director loses job

    Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120201 pruden AR1.jpg From the CIA to man about town

    Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • schoolnurse.jpg Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future

    A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • tv listings.jpg New TV listings section debuts in print edition

    In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • police-lights-backgrounds-for-powerpoint.jpg Man shot in Valdosta; police car, ambulance collide

    Response to a shooting Saturday afternoon led to a collision between a police vehicle and an ambulance.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120203 FD Dance 2.jpg Annual Father-Daughter Dance enters 16th year

    Three-week-old Emmaline Taylor lay contentedly on dad Trey Taylor’s shoulder Friday night, completely oblivious to the sights and sounds of the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance.
    Now in its 16th year, the popular annual event is sponsored by Valdosta’s First Presbyterian Church and held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
    “We’ve been looking forward to this,” Trey Taylor said. “When we first got pregnant, (my wife Sheya and I) looked to see if she would be here in time for the Father-Daughter Dance.”

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • ticket.jpg VPD offers online citation payment

    The Valdosta Police Department has implemented a new online service to assist traffic violators.

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

Business Marquee
Top Local News
House Ads
SmugMug

VDT Photos of the Week

AP Video
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9 Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House' Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo. Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Choose your subscription:
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Weather Radar
Seasonal Content
Poll

Do you think sugar is:

A toxic substance?
An addictive substance?
Sweet goodness?
     View Results