Jury Selection Begins in Vacaville Homicide Case

41-year-old Woodland man accused of killing Vacaville resident in 2020

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:40pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single bullet casing on a dark background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the forensic evidence at the center of a complex homicide investigation.A forensic investigation uncovers critical evidence in a long-running homicide case, exposing the gritty realities of cold case detective work.Vacaville Today

Jury selection has begun in Solano County Superior Court for the trial of John Davis Lipsey IV, a 41-year-old Woodland man accused of killing Luther Derek Harris, a 33-year-old Vacaville resident, in 2020. Lipsey was arrested in 2025 along with Erika Renee Kelsh, also of Woodland, in connection to Harris' death.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in solving cold cases and bringing closure to victims' families, even years after a suspected crime. The investigation involved multiple agencies working together over several years to uncover evidence and make arrests.

The details

Lipsey is charged with killing Harris, who has not been seen since April 30, 2020. Vacaville Police Department detectives arrested Lipsey and Kelsh in September 2025 after a wide-ranging investigation that included numerous interviews, search warrants, and the collection of critical evidence. While the leads slowed at times, detectives continued to seek answers, and in December 2024, new evidence suggested Harris may have been the victim of foul play. The continued investigation ultimately uncovered evidence that led to the arrests.

  • Jury selection began in Solano County Superior Court on April 13, 2026.
  • Lipsey was arrested in September 2025.
  • Kelsh is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 16, 2026.

The players

John Davis Lipsey IV

A 41-year-old Woodland man accused of killing Luther Derek Harris in 2020.

Luther Derek Harris

A 33-year-old Vacaville resident who has not been seen since April 30, 2020.

Erika Renee Kelsh

A 33-year-old Woodland resident arrested on suspicion of being an accessory in the case.

Vacaville Police Department

The law enforcement agency that took over the investigation from the Dixon Police Department in June 2021 and made the arrests in September 2025.

Ilana Shapiro

The Deputy District Attorney who submitted evidence in the preliminary hearing, including photos of Lipsey's apartment and an alleged admission by Lipsey to a friend.

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What they’re saying

“Lipsey's attorney, Alternate Public Defender Rohan Beesla doubted the allegation of gunfire in the apartment, as no other residents heard shots and asserted that Lipsey's statements to investigators over time — in Woodland and Dixon — were consistent in their nature. He also refuted the claim of DNA evidence in the case.”

— Rohan Beesla, Lipsey's attorney

What’s next

The case is scheduled to resume in the Fairfield Courtroom of Judge Janice M. Williams at 9 a.m. April 13.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in solving cold cases and bringing closure to victims' families, even years after a suspected crime. The investigation's persistence over several years to uncover evidence and make arrests demonstrates the dedication required to pursue justice in complex homicide cases.