In a major development in the 2022 double homicide case that stunned the Orange County community, 19-year-old Issiah Ross has pleaded not guilty to the murders of 14-year-old Lyric Woods and 18-year-old Devin Clark. The plea was entered during his arraignment on Tuesday, officially setting the trial date for October 27, 2025.
Case Background: The Tragic Murders of Lyric Woods and Devin Clark
The bodies of Woods and Clark were discovered in September 2022, both suffering multiple gunshot wounds in a rural field off Buckhorn Road. At the time of the alleged crimes, Ross was 17 years old but is being prosecuted as an adult.
Issiah Ross Identified as the Suspect
The North Carolina Beat was the first to identify Ross as a suspect in the case. Our investigation revealed that Ross had briefly attended Eastern Alamance High School, where Clark was a student. Additionally, it was reported that shortly after the victims’ bodies were found, Ross uploaded five songs to his SoundCloud account, with lyrics that appeared to reference violent themes.
17-year-old suspect identified in North Carolina teens Lyric Woods & Devin Clark murder
Prosecution and Defense Arguments
During the arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Anna Orr stated that both victims were “shot while running for their lives,” implying an execution-style killing. However, the defense has offered a different narrative, admitting that Ross picked up the teens but claiming that a struggle over a firearm led to the fatal shootings.
Legislative Impact: ‘Lyric and Devin’s Law’
In response to the case, North Carolina lawmakers enacted “Lyric and Devin’s Law” on December 1, 2023. The legislation enhances law enforcement’s ability to share information about juveniles suspected of crimes, aiming to prevent investigative delays in future cases.
Stay tuned to The North Carolina Beat and other trusted news sources for more information.
