Delaware Supreme Court hears appeal in barbershop killings

Delaware’s Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal by a death row inmate convicted in a Wilmington barbershop shooting that left two people dead, including a young boy.

Wednesday’s hearing involves an appeal by Chauncy Starling, who was convicted of the 2001 killings of 28-year-old Darnell Evans and 5-year-old Damon Gist Jr.

According to court records, Starling and two other men were searching for Evans. After spotting him, Starling entered the barbershop and shot Evans several times. During the gunfire, a bullet struck the boy in the head.

Starling has argued among other things that his attorney was ineffective, and that prosecutors withheld evidence helpful to his defense.

A Superior Court judge found no merit to his arguments last year and refused to overturn his convictions or death sentences.