Murder trial set to begin this week

The prosecution was hoping to begin jury selection today in the second-degree murder trial of Marcus Jay Hamilton, 21, of Patterson, who is accused of killing Keyiona Chenevert, 18, of Bayou Vista in January 2013.
The trial will be held at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse in Franklin.
Hamilton was charged Feb. 28, 2013, with second-degree murder in connection with Chenevert’s shooting death Jan. 20, 2013.
On Jan. 21, 2013, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office began investigating a homicide at an apartment complex in the 100 block of Three B’s Lane in Bayou Vista, according to an affidavit.
Investigators determined that Chenevert had been killed from a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. Detectives discovered Hamilton and Chenevert had a physical relationship, the affidavit stated.
During an interview, Hamilton said, on the day of the shooting, he and Chenevert made several phone calls and text messages to each other. Chenevert informed Hamilton that she was pregnant and wanted to end the relationship.
The Acadiana Crime Lab determined that the weapon used to kill Chenevert was a .45 Colt and got copies of .45 Colt ammo transactions at Walmart. A detective learned of a Dec. 26, 2012, ammo purchase by Treylon Jenkins, the affidavit said.
The detective reviewed Hamilton’s cell phone records and discovered well-established communication between Hamilton and Jenkins. The detective determined that Hamilton called Jenkins at 11:17 p.m. Jan. 20, 2013.
Jenkins told authorities that Hamilton called him Jan. 20 and asked to borrow his Taurus .45 Colt pistol “to do a lick,” the affidavit said. Hamilton came to Jenkins’ home and picked up the pistol, which was fully loaded, the affidavit stated.
Jenkins said that Hamilton returned the gun Jan. 21 with two shell casings missing from the gun. Upon Hamilton returning the gun, Jenkins said he believed Hamilton had killed Chenevert, the affidavit stated.
Jenkins then began trying to stay away from Hamilton for fear Hamilton would kill him, the affidavit said. Jenkins was never charged with a crime in connection with Chenevert’s death.