JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – The trial date for the man accused of killing a Jackson State University (JSU) student nearly two years ago is expected to begin in November 2024.

Court documents showed that the trial for Randall Smith, of New Orleans, will begin at 1:00 p.m. on November 4 at the Hinds County Courthouse.

Smith is accused of killing Flynn Brown, 22, of New Jersey. Authorities said Brown’s body was discovered inside a vehicle on JSU’s campus on December 2, 2022. He had been shot in the head.

Smith has been charged with murder in the case.

During a preliminary hearing in December 2022, Smith claimed that he killed Brown in self-defense. According to Smith, Brown had repeatedly taken his food and belongings in the past. He said Brown had taken doughnuts out of his hand, and the matter escalated. He claimed that Brown began to choke him until he couldn’t breathe, so he grabbed a gun and shot Brown in self-defense.

Suitemates said they didn’t hear a gunshot, but they heard loud music. One of the suitemates, who is a JSU football player, said he was getting ready for practice when he saw the door open and blood inside. He told one of his coaches who then called campus police.

Video footage showed an unidentified person going to the Dodge Charger that Brown was found in around 2:30 a.m. According to investigators, it appeared that Smith tried to flee and cover up the scene.

In February 2024, Brown’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university. They said employees of JSU engaged in negligent acts or omissions and/or displayed reckless disregard for the safety of Brown.

The lawsuit stated that Brown and two of his other suitemates experienced a series of thefts involving their belongings, and they suspected Smith was the likely perpetrator. The lawsuit claims they reported the thefts to JSU employees, but the university failed to initiate an investigation into Smith.

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