Lead detective testifies in 2022 Savannah murder trial

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - WTOC is exclusively covering the murder trial of Mikell Sanders, who is accused of killing Mykel Price in Savannah in November 2022, just before Thanksgiving.

As the prosecution’s case nears its conclusion, questions about the thoroughness of the investigation have come into focus.

Lead Detective Presents Witness Testimony on Final Day of State’s Case

Thursday marked the final appearance of the state’s witnesses as the lead detective, Marquis Dillard, took the stand to present previously recorded interviews with witnesses in the case.

The videos shown to the court contained multiple witness statements identifying Mikell Sanders as the man responsible for Price’s death—a crucial piece of evidence for the prosecution’s case.

Cross-Examination Exposes Gaps in Investigation

However, the defense’s cross-examination of Detective Dillard revealed significant concerns about evidence documentation and investigation procedures.

The questioning focused on whether DNA testing had been conducted on key pieces of evidence including Sanders’ vehicle, phone, and firearms. When pressed for details, Detective Dillard acknowledged he did not have those reports with him in the courtroom, instead referencing the forensics team.

“Did you come to this murder trial without your case file?” the defense attorney asked.

“Yes,” the detective said.

The revelation that the lead detective arrived at a murder trial without his complete case file drew audible reactions from those observing the proceedings, particularly members of Price’s family, who appeared visibly frustrated with the detective’s responses.

Questions of Evidence and Documentation

The cross-examination highlighted what many legal observers consider a critical flaw in the investigation: the apparent lack of comprehensive DNA analysis on crucial physical evidence that could either support or contradict the accusations against Sanders.

The inability to immediately produce forensic reports and the incomplete documentation raised questions about the rigor of the investigation and whether all available evidence had been thoroughly examined.

Defendant Declines to Testify

With the state’s case now concluded, the trial moved forward with Sanders being asked whether he wished to testify in his own defense. The defendant declined to take the stand, a decision that his legal team may have made strategically as closing arguments loom.

Closing Arguments Set for Friday

Friday, both the prosecution and defense will present their closing arguments to the jury. These final statements will be critical, as they will frame the evidence—and the gaps in it—for jurors who will ultimately determine Sanders’ guilt or innocence.

The closing arguments will likely address the witness identifications presented today, while the defense is expected to emphasize the unanswered questions about forensic evidence and the investigation’s thoroughness.

The outcome of the trial could hinge on how convincingly each side addresses the central question:

Is witness testimony alone sufficient to convict, or do the unexplored forensic avenues create reasonable doubt?

With jury deliberations potentially beginning soon after closing arguments conclude, the case that has captivated the Savannah community appears to be moving toward resolution.