A Hamilton County defendant missed his own murder conviction Monday after disappearing during his trial for a 2024 fatal shooting at the Bayberry Apartments complex in Chattanooga.
Investigators from multiple agencies are still searching for Deangelo Dews, 31, after he failed to return to court following a Friday lunch break, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Gracyn Gordon said by email.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County murder defendant missing after lunch. Judge continues trial without him)
Jurors found Dews guilty of first-degree murder in the April 16, 2024, shooting death of Kendric Evans, 27. Dews was also convicted of unlawfully possessing a firearm during a prior violent felony conviction.
Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Amanda Dunn said she found Dews’ absence voluntary after she said his ankle monitor was removed. She issued an arrest warrant and the trial continued without him.