DEFENDANT ADMITS TO MURDER DURING JURY TRIAL

Evansville, IN – Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that on December 4, 2024, Christopher Dion Boyd was found guilty by a jury of Murder, a Level 1 Felony. After the verdict, Boyd also pleaded guilty to the firearm enhancement for his use of a gun in commission of the crime. The Honorable Judge David D. Kiely of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court presided.

On January 1, 2024, Evansville Police Department officers were dispatched to a shots fired call. When officers arrived, they discovered Jerry Hale was found lying deceased outside of a bar with a gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses claimed the shooter fled on foot. After further investigation, Evansville Police Detectives recovered video footage from inside the bar as well as a surrounding home. The video footage portrayed the entirety of the shooting where Christopher Boyd exited the building, lied in wait and then shot Jerry Hale in the back of the head before fleeing on foot.

During the 3-day trial, the State presented testimony from eyewitnesses, police officers, and video evidence of the shooting. Finally, the Defendant testified on the stand that he waited for and shot Hale before fleeing, as was portrayed in the video. At the outset of the trial, the Defense claimed a case of mistaken identity. After Boyd’s testimony, the Defense changed their initial claims in opening that this was a case of mistaken identity and asserted that it was a shooting of self-defense. After a brief deliberation, the jury found Christopher Dion Boyd guilty of murder.

Prosecutor Moers thanks her Deputies Neil Thomas and Jessica Berry for their excellence and thoroughness in prosecuting this case. Moers also extends a thank you to Evansville Police Department Detective Dickerson and the many officers who contributed to a solid investigation.

Moers went on to say: “This shooting occurred in the early morning hours of New Years Day on the streets of Vanderburgh County with several other bar patrons present. Due to great police work, video of the entire incident was captured to later be shown to the jury and witnesses were identified. A great job by my Deputy Prosecutor Neil Thomas in the cross-examination of the Defendant revealed what we knew all along: the Defendant shot Hale. We hope that this verdict brings peace to the family and friends of the victim, and the citizens of Vanderburgh County can rest easier knowing Boyd, who was willing to murder someone outside of a busy bar, will no longer be walking the streets of Vanderburgh County.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2024, in front of Honorable Judge David D. Kiely of the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court.

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