NASHVILLE, Tenn.- It's been three years since 12-year old Mikia Woodland was murdered in her home. Now as a trial begins for two of those charged, her family hopes those involved in the home invasion will be brought to justice.
Monday, a Davidson County Court held jury selection for the 2009 case. Although five men were charged in the murder, only two Justin Howard and Cedric Peppers are on trial currently.
On July 9, 2009 five men broke into Mikia's grandmother's home on Maury Street around 1 a.m. to commit a robbery. Mikia's grandmother, Shannon Hooten, said the men demanded that she go to the back of the house. Hooten later told police that she was in her room, calling 911 when she heard shots fired in the kitchen. Hooten's 12-year-old granddaughter was killed by one of those shots.
It was weeks before police were able to identify the killers. In May 2010 five people were charged with Woodland's murder: Ralphael Turner, 20, Justin Howard, 22, Jeffrey Dale Foxx, 20, and Cedric Peppers, 26.
Opening statements for the trial of Justin Howard and Cedric Peppers are expected to begin Tuesday. Jurors will likely hear details of how drugs may have factored into the home invasion. While the 2 defendants are being tried together the jury has to consider their charges separately.
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