Second arrest made in murder of Huntsville woman

Second arrest made in murder of Huntsville woman

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - Huntsville police and the District Attorney’s office confirmed on Wednesday morning that Jaylon Draper has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Samantha Coyner.

He is the second suspect charged in the case.

The other suspect, Joseph Earls, 18, appeared in court for his preliminary hearing.

The investigator on the case, Dave Mullins, said Earls and several of his friends, including Draper, planned to “jug” or rob some people for some marijuana on the day of the fatal shooting. So they went to buy drugs at a gas station on South Memorial Parkway using fake money on April 10.

But the sellers didn’t fall for it and they left. Earls’ car followed and when they all stopped at an intersection near Chicamauga Trail, shots were fired.

Samantha Coyner was driving the car that Earls was tailing. She was shot in the head and later passed away.

Earls tested negative for gunshot residue after the shooting, according to Mullins, because he had washed his hands. Mullins said Draper tested positive for gunshot residue.

Earls told police he shot only to scare the people in the other care and take their marijuana. Earls said he then handed the gun to Draper who also fired at the victim’s car. Witnesses pointed to Earls as the shooter, Mullins testified.

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