Retrial Uncertain After Riverside Jury Deadlocks in Carjacking Murder Case

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A Riverside jury was unable to reach a verdict in the trial of Qevon Xavier Harvey, 27, who is charged with first-degree murder, robbery, carjacking, and other crimes in the 2022 carjacking and killing of 24-year-old Benjamin Chanes. Prosecutors will now decide whether to retry Harvey, whose co-defendant Trezell Lamone Heckard, 30, was convicted of murder last week. A third alleged conspirator, Anthony Antoine Wright, 33, is also awaiting trial in the case.

Why it matters

The inability of the jury to reach a verdict in Harvey's trial raises questions about the strength of the prosecution's case and the challenges in securing convictions in high-profile carjacking and murder cases. The outcome could impact whether the remaining defendants face retrials or plea deals.

The details

According to police, on March 6, 2022, Chanes and his girlfriend were returning to Riverside from Los Angeles when they were approached by armed suspects who ordered them out of the car at gunpoint. The suspects then forced the girlfriend to drive to an apartment complex, where they ransacked Chanes' apartment and ultimately shot and killed him as he tried to flee. The defendants then fled in the couple's vehicle, leaving behind their own car which contained evidence that led police to the suspects.

• On March 6, 2022, the alleged carjacking and murder took place.
• Last week, a separate jury convicted Trezell Lamone Heckard, 30, of Vallejo, of murder and other charges.
• Prosecutors are expected to announce on Wednesday whether they will retry Qevon Xavier Harvey, 27.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Wednesday whether or not to allow a retrial for Qevon Xavier Harvey.