Trial delayed in 2022 Savannah homicide as key expert remains temporarily unavailable

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The jury trial for Jaheim Mitchell, a 20-year-old charged in the 2022 shooting death of Rashard Kinlaw, was set to begin Tuesday but was delayed after the court granted a motion for continuance.

The postponement comes as the medical examiner, a key witness for the state, is currently out of town and unavailable to testify right now.

Mitchell faces multiple charges in connection with the case, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to the indictment.

He is accused of fatally shooting 21-year-old Rashard Kinlaw on October 16, 2022.

The incident occurred near the intersection of Mundy Street and Weldon Street, where Savannah Police officers responded to a single-vehicle crash.

That’s when officers discovered Kinlaw inside an overturned sedan suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Memorial Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

Mitchell, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was arrested several weeks later by the U.S. Marshals Service in Martinez, Georgia, 2 1/2 hours away.

Judge Middleton noted that the trial is taking longer than normal to reach this stage. Attorney Skye Musson was appointed to Mitchell’s case only recently.

The delay in proceedings is partially because Mitchell requested to change his counsel, Musson said.

While the judge agreed that the medical examiner’s unavailability warranted a delay, he expressed frustration with the pace of the proceedings. He emphasized in court that once a new trial date is scheduled, essentially that everything needs to be ready to go.

Kinlaw’s death drew significant community attention. His obituary describes Rashard as a beloved son, brother, and friend.

No new trial date has been set as of Tuesday.