Who was Joshua Evans? Former State Rep. Yuri Devlin Murder Trial, Explained

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Occupation Avenue, Los Santos — In the late evening of February 12th, 2024, law enforcement allege that former State Representative Yuri Devlin walked up the steps of Occupation Courthouse. Devlin, who onlookers claim was armed, passed armored SWAT officers to allegedly end the life of Joshua Evans. While the prosecution has yet to clearly establish a motive for this crime, Devlin is set to stand trial today for first-degree murder. He will also be facing charges of obstruction of justice and reckless endangerment.

A mugshot of Joshua Evans. (Photo Credit: Major Crimes Division (MCD))

Joshua Evans’ attacks began on October 8th, 2023, when he kidnapped Naeve Velez from a Fleeca Bank on Vespucci Boulevard. The two shared a brief conversation before he took her to a secluded location, where he then proceeded to torture and drug her. When he finished, he anonymously placed a 911 call in which he stated “Speak No Evil, See No Evil, Hear No Evil.” This phrase would become Evans’ calling card.

Police were quickly dispatched to Palmer-Taylor Power Station and were able to apprehend Joshua Evans while he was attempting to flee the scene. After receiving medical attention, he was transported to Rockford Hills Police Station and charged with unlawful possession of a class 1 firearm, evading arrest, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated battery. He is assumed to have pled guilty to his charges and would have been transferred to Bolingbroke State Penitentiary (BBSP), where he would have served his time and later be released.

He would continue his assaults on Naeve Velez and others in the following months. Other known victims include Jude Blaine, Detective Cherry Bellefleur, Sergeant Laney Bishop, Deputy Cheryl Teeger, Officer Rowan Atlas, Deputy Michael Greene, and Sara Fox.

Deputy Greene would be the only victim to succumb to their injuries. He would pass away on October 28th, 2023, after suffering from injures related to tetrodotoxin poisoning.

Joshua Evans had a pattern of tormenting those he kidnapped with torture and by injecting them with morphine and/or tetrodotoxin (TTX). He was known to set traps at his crime scenes and taunt victims. He was indiscriminate in those he went after, but he appeared to loathe police involvement. Despite this, he often sought validation from them through phone calls and face-to-face encounters.

Evans would elude police until January 21st, 2024, when he was successfully captured at Los Santos International Airport (LSIA) while attempting to flee the state with Sara Fox as a hostage. The following footage has been provided by Useless News and showcases the events of that evening. Viewer discretion is advised.

Footage of the capture of Joshua Evans. (Footage Recorded by: Useless News)

Joshua Evans would sit in Bolingbroke State Penitentiary for a little over three weeks before heading to trial on February 12th to contest the charge for Michael Greene’s death. He had been facing death or life in prison at the conclusion of his hearing, with the final verdict for all of his charges to be announced in the coming days. 

However, shortly after trial, and while awaiting transport to BBSP, Joshua Evans would be allegedly shot and killed by Yuri Devlin. Evans’ case was dismissed shortly thereafter, as a verdict could no longer be reached.

In an unusual instance of a judge speaking out on a case, Circuit Court Judge Tobias Tarts offered this comment to Shout News about the incident:

It is exceedingly rare for the judiciary to comment publicly about any case. However, Mr. Evans deserved the impartial examination of their case to determine if they should be acquitted or found guilty of the crimes alleged against them. No singular person is above the laws of San Andreas, and to take matters into their own hands robs the people of impartial justice. While I, as a Judge, will make no comments on the actions of Mr. Devlin, it is integral to the justice system that it be permitted to complete its duties unimpeded and uninterrupted.

Tobias Tarts

State of San Andreas v. Yuri Devlin will be held today at the Occupation Courthouse today at 8pm EST. His Honor, Judge William Buckley will be presiding over the case, with Acting State Attorney Jessica Ashbrook representing the prosecution and Hunt & O’Hagen LLP defending.

The public is welcome to attend but are expected to be quiet and respectable during the proceedings.

Shout News will continue to cover this developing story as more updates become available.


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