Second suspect charged in Saturday morning homicide

By Paul Keane

The Wayne County News

A second suspect has been taken into custody in a case that led to the

murder of a Fruitdale, Ala., man.

After Jaylen Keonta Mayfield, 24, of Waynesboro, turned himself in to

the Waynesboro Police Department late Monday afternoon, a second suspect

was arrested on Tuesday.

Richard Mayfield, 24, often called "Cheesy," was arrested Tuesday

afternoon by the WPD. He was arrested at his residence without incident.

The two men are cousins, according to WPD Investigator Shawn Gray.

The case revolves around the shooting death of Brandon Michael

Cartwright, 24, of Fruitdale. He leaves behind a fiance and two

children, along with another child on the way.

The incident happened shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot

of the High Noon Lounge. Gray said the victim came out of the

establishment and was approached by Mayfield in the parking lot. An

altercation ensured and Cartwright suffered gunshot wounds that led to

his death.

Gray said multiple gunshots were fired, and numerous witnesses saw the

incident. Witnesses said the suspect fled in a tan SUV, which was later

found abandoned in the city.

During an initial appearance on Tuesday, Jaylen Mayfield requested a

preliminary hearing and said that he would hire his own attorney. His

bond was set at $1 million cash by Municipal Court Judge Charles

Chapman.

During an initial appearance on Wednesday, Richard Mayfield also

requested a preliminary hearing and asked that the state appoint him a

defense attorney. Chapman set his bond at $500,000.

When a preliminary hearing is requested, it must take place within 14

days of the initial appearance. At that time, the presiding judge hears

from both the defense and prosecution, hears of evidence that is

available and makes a decision to either dismiss the charges or to hold

the suspect over for trial.

Even if the case is dismissed at the preliminary hearing, it can still

be presented to a session of the grand jury.