Verdict Expected Next Week in The Trial of Dylan McLeod, Suspect Involved in Murder of Medford Man
UPDATE: Judge Gives Dylan McLeod Life Sentence For 2021 Murder Of Aaron Stitt
MEDFORD, Ore. — A verdict is expected early next week in the trial in the Jackson County Circuit Court of Dylan McLeod for his role in the murder of Aaron Stitt (24) in September 2021.
McLeod’s brother, Austin McLeod (28), and a friend, Brycen Scofield (23), have already both been sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison.
Video Shows Brothers Removing Blood-Stained Clothing
On Friday, jurors watched a video apparently captured by a phone belonging to Brycen Scofield, who pleaded guilty to the murder.
In the video, the McLeod brothers are shown removing blood-stained clothing and shoes.
A DNA expert told the court that a sample taken of human blood from a sledgehammer head matched the DNA profile of the murdered man, Aaron Stitt.
Jurors heard that during an interview with retired Medford police Detective Diane Sandler, McLeod said he was in a ‘trance’ as he watched Brycen Scofield, who was in a rage, repeatedly strike Stitt with a sledgehammer and hammer.
Describing the scene as chaotic, McLeod said Scofield was heavily intoxicated and exhibited erratic behavior. Scofield had pointed a gun at them and had blocked the door with a refrigerator. The incident took place in Stitt’s apartment.
McLeod alleged that his brother had tried to keep him calm, saying he would ‘handle’ Scofield. McLeod said before leaving the scene, Scofield padlocked the apartment door.
Aaron Stitt ’s Body was Found Inside a Refrigerator
Austin McLeod contacted the police after he and his brother had fled the scene and driven to their parents’ house. Stitt’s body was later found inside a refrigerator.
Earlier, the owner of a construction company who was at the scene on the day of the murder told the court that there were holes in the walls and doors of the apartment, the sliding door glass panel was cracked, and there was drug paraphernalia on the table and weapons strewn on the couch. He described it as ‘a bad scene.’