CRIME

Man convicted of killing romantic rival

SEAN O’SULLIVAN
THE NEWS JOURNAL

WILMINGTON – A Superior Court jury has convicted Darcell Coleman of the May slaying of Marvin Moore in what appears to have been a rivalry over a woman.

According to police and prosecutors, the 29-year-old Coleman, of Wilmington, was dating the ex-girlfriend of Moore and on May 12, 2013 around 9:30 p.m. Coleman went to a New Castle-area convenience store to pick up the child his girlfriend had with Moore to return him to his mother.

However, as surveillance video at the store showed, Moore was late and ultimately sent the child with associates. This led to an apparent confrontation between Coleman and Moore's friends and Coleman then calling Moore and, according to testimony, getting upset that Moore referred to the girlfriend using a disrespectful term.

Surveillance video then showed Coleman, who also went by the name Simba, on his cellphone at the convenience store and cellphone records showed that then he drove almost directly to the 2600 block of N. Claymont St. in Riverside where the 29-year-old victim lived.

Surveillance video from a store in that area shows Coleman's car arrive and park. Coleman can be seen getting out of his car and pacing around. Coleman then gets back in the car and starts to leave but the car abruptly stops, he gets out and goes to an area that can't be seen and moments later gets back in the car and takes off.

Police later found Moore's body in the area where Coleman's car had stopped.

At trial at least one witness testified that Coleman shot Moore when he got out before he fled. Police also found a loaded gun under Moore's body.

The jury convicted Coleman of first-degree murder and a weapons charge Monday after a five-day trial and after about 90 minutes of deliberation.

Coleman now faces a minimum mandatory life in prison when he is sentenced in February.

Deputy Attorney General Brian Robertson said Wednesday that prosecutors were pleased with the outcome.

Coleman's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Tim Weiler said, "Obviously my client is disappointed with the jury's decision. He is looking forward to exploring his options on appeal."

Contact Sean O'Sullivan at (302) 324-2777 or sosullivan@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @SeanGOSullivan