Double murder trial of suspect with Eastern Alamance ties begins

The trial of Issiah Ross, charged with the 2022 killings of 18-year-old Devin Clark and 14-year-old Lyric Woods, moved into jury selection this week after opening proceedings began Monday, Jan. 12. Ross faces first-degree murder charges and entered a plea of not guilty in March 2025. After rejecting a plea offer, the defendant is being tried as an adult, though he is not eligible for the death penalty because he was under 18 at the time of the alleged crimes.

Clark and Woods were reported missing in September 2022 and later found dead on a remote all-terrain vehicle path. Clark was a student at Eastern Alamance High School in Mebane and had ties to Alamance County. Ross attended Eastern Alamance briefly, according to court filings, and the overlapping school connections have kept the case centered in local conversation and concern.

The trial raises immediate questions for local institutions about how juvenile involvement in serious crimes is handled and how the county balances public safety with rehabilitation. Prosecutors pursued adult charges in this case, a decision that carries long-term consequences for sentencing, detention, and records. Because Ross was a juvenile at the time, statutory limits prevent a capital sentence, narrowing the range of possible penalties if convicted but not removing the need for robust community debate about youth justice policy.

For residents of Mebane and surrounding parts of Alamance County the human toll remains primary. Two families lost children and a high school community has lived with the case for more than three years. Local law enforcement, school administrators, and county leaders face ongoing pressure to explain prevention efforts, trail and park safety, and supports for students affected by trauma. The case has also highlighted questions about communication between schools and investigators when students are missing, and about resources for mental health and victim services in the county.

As jury selection continues, the proceedings will test the capacity of local institutions to manage a high-profile trial that intersects youth justice, public safety, and community trust. Courtroom outcomes will shape not only the legal fate of the defendant but also how policymakers and voters view options for juvenile prosecution and local investments in prevention.

The takeaway? Stay informed about the hearings, support local victims services if you can, and hold elected officials accountable for clear policies on school safety and juvenile justice. Our two cents? Attend public meetings, ask tough questions of county leaders, and push for the resources that help young people and families heal.