Birmingham Man Charged in Second Contract Killing While Awaiting Trial
Birmingham, AL – A state prison inmate already facing trial for the alleged murder-for-hire of his girlfriend has been hit with additional charges related to a second contract killing in the city. Demarcus Chandler, 26, now faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, discharging a firearm into a building, and discharging a firearm into a vehicle. Joining him in these new charges is Justin Jamond Hendrix, a 20-year-old Birmingham resident who is already in custody for a separate murder case.
Details of the New Charges
The new charges against Chandler and Hendrix emerged this week, detailing their alleged conspiratorial activities while Chandler was incarcerated at Holman Correctional Facility. Authorities claim that Chandler orchestrated a plan to kill an unnamed man during the early hours of August 20. The shooting incident reportedly took place around 2 a.m. in eastern Birmingham, where gunfire struck a residence and an SUV. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Ties to a Previous Murder Case
Interestingly, while Chandler faces charges in this latest incident, he has no direct connection to the murder of Asia Poole, which occurred later that same day. Chandler and Hendrix share no link to the murder other than their being charged for both incidents. Currently, Hendrix is held without bond on charges related to Poole’s murder, as one of five individuals implicated in that case.
A Look Back at Previous Allegations
Chandler also has an extensive criminal record dating back to when he was just 16 years old. He has been behind bars since 2019 for violating parole tied to previous violent crimes. His legal woes began to intensify in 2020 when he allegedly plotted the murder of Raven Swain for a sum of $8,000. Along with his alleged accomplice, Solomon Minatee III, Chandler is charged with capital murder in Swain’s death.
Swain was tragically shot on July 28, 2020, in Birmingham’s Underwood Park around 7 p.m. Police found her unresponsive in her Hyundai Sonata, where she had succumbed to her injuries. Investigators later retrieved Swain’s cell phone from the scene, which played a crucial role in tracking Chandler’s actions leading up to the fatal event. A search of Chandler’s prison cell reportedly uncovered a contraband cell phone that had been used to communicate about the murder.
Technological Evidence and Communication
Authorities discovered multiple phone calls between Chandler and Minatee right before and after Swain’s shooting, with technology placing the phone near Underwood Park at the time of the incident. Chandler is allegedly heard in messages expressing indifference to Swain’s death. For example, he informed a contact, “Your sister has been shot. You need to go find her in the park by Southtown,” followed by, “She got what she deserved.”
Chandler is currently set to go to trial in 2025 concerning the charges related to Swain’s murder. However, he also has an upcoming court appearance in October regarding the most recent conspiracy to commit murder allegations.
Community Impact and Ongoing Concerns
These developments have understandably raised concerns in the Birmingham community, as the nature of violent crime appears to be escalating. Community leaders and officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, ensuring that public safety remains a priority.
As this case continues to unfold, both Chandler and Hendrix will have their day in court, as they face serious and grave charges stemming from their alleged actions.
