DEFENDANT WHO ATTEMPTED TO CORRUPT HIS VICTIM’S TESTIMONY AT TRIAL RECEIVES VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTION

Evansville, IN – Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that on October 9, 2024, Remel Dontay Byrd was found guilty by a jury of Attempted Voluntary Manslaughter, a Level 2 Felony. The Honorable Magistrate Judge Celia M. Pauli of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court presided.

On December 19, 2023, Remel Dontay Byrd stabbed the unarmed victim in his home. Two additional residents lived in the home, one being a female with whom Byrd had a previous relationship. The female allowed Byrd into the home over the objection of the homeowner. Conversation between the female and Byrd escalated into an argument and the female and the victim in this case told Byrd to leave, but he refused. The female and victim were able to remove Byrd from the home and Byrd responded by throwing a lawn chair at the home. Byrd then forced himself back into the home, using the lawn chair as a weapon to strike the female and the victim. Remel Byrd then began to slash at and stab the victim with a knife. The victim was stabbed 5 times, once in the head. When doing this, Byrd repeatedly said: “Do you wanna die?” Byrd recorded his stabbing of the victim on Snapchat. After attacking the victim with the knife, Byrd then chased after the female witness and threatened her.

At the jury trial, the prosecution presented body camera footage, photos of the victim’s injuries, the Snapchat footage, and live testimony from the victim’s treating physician and law enforcement.

In addition, prosecutors presented recorded proof that Defendant Remel Byrd had an accomplice threaten the victim if he testified truthfully against the Defendant. When the victim did testify at trial, he stated multiple times that he did not want Remel Byrd to be prosecuted, even going as far as saying he’d rather go to jail himself.

Prosecutor Moers stated: “Despite the Defendant’s attempt to corrupt the justice system, the jury found Remel Dontay Byrd guilty. My team works hard to stay one step ahead of Defendants and we will not tolerate attempts to corrupt the justice system in any way- including witness intimidation or tampering of any kind. It is a misconception that once a case is charged and at trial then the prosecution’s work is over. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure we have all of the facts to present to the jury and that the jury is presented a fair and accurate case despite any attempts to corrupt a witnesses by the Defendant or others.”

Prosecutor Moers extends a special thank you to her Deputy Prosecutor Ian Blair and Deputy Prosecutor Keaton Maurer who worked hard to prepare for this trial and thanks her staff Jessica Pollock, Tony Carden, Jon Carter, Morgan Richardville, and Lisa Deutsch for their crucial assistance in this case. Prosecutor Moers also thanks Evansville Police Officer Maglinger, Officer Carpenter, Officer Helfert, Officer Hackworth, and Lead Detective Quinton Keil for their excellent work responding to this case and in the investigative process.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 30, 2024, in front of the Honorable Magistrate Judge Celia M. Pauli of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court. The Defendant could face up to 30 years.

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