Jurors review text exchanges in Tru Colors double-murder trial

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Jurors in the Tru Colors double-murder trial reviewed text message exchanges Thursday between defendants Omonte Bell and Dyrell Green as prosecutors continued presenting digital evidence in the case.

Bell and Green are charged in the 2021 killings of Briyanna Williams and Koredreece Tyson at the home of George Taylor III, the chief operating officer of Tru Colors Brewing. The Wilmington brewery gained national attention for employing active gang members before closing in 2022.

In New Hanover County Superior Court, prosecutors walked jurors through a digital analysis of text conversations extracted from cell phones connected to the investigation.

Among the messages presented was an exchange that occurred after the killings, in which one defendant wrote, “Stop worrying,” followed by, “You’re overthinking it.”

Jurors also saw a separate conversation involving an unidentified woman. According to testimony, Bell wrote, “She’s asking too many questions,” and Green responded, “Just delete her messages, you’re good.”

Defense attorneys raised several objections to portions of the digital evidence as prosecutors presented the messages. The judge overruled those objections, allowing the evidence to be shown to the jury.

The digital evidence is part of the state’s effort to establish the defendants’ alleged involvement in the killings and their communications surrounding the case.

Before the court adjourned, prosecutors asked the judge to allow a witness to testify out of order because the witness is expected to be unavailable next week.

The trial is scheduled to continue on Friday.