Jurors who were deliberating a monthlong armed robbery trial were left stunned over a key piece of evidence.
Joyner, an accused in the robbery he carried out in seven 7-Elevens and at multiple gas stations in the spring of 2023.
The trial of Shamell Naquan Joyner took a twist altogether on July 22, on day-two of the court proceedings, when jurors found a Chinese yuan bill in one sweatshirt that investigators almost missed.
And inside Joyner’s jacket, which was also a key part of evidence, they discovered odd white power in a wrapped piece of paper.
The prosecutors and judge said it appeared to be drugs.
Judge Rudolph Contreras, who led the trial, was shocked upon knowing this hidden evidence.
“The Court shares Mr. Joyner’s amazement at law enforcement’s failure to uncover the Chinese Yuan, note, and powdery substance in the physical evidence,” penned in his opinion just days later.
Prosecutors accused Joyner had robbed 10 local supermarkets and gas stations in central Washington, Maryland and northern Virginia in 2023.
The robberies first surfaced in April, with days between each, but by May 2, accused Joyner robbed multiple stores on the same day.
This resulted in a 28-count indictment against Joyner in 2023; however, he wasn’t charged with drug possession.
2026-08-11 19:04:00
