Defendant gets continuance in Vance County District Court

Court officials delayed the voluntary manslaughter case against Daquan Marcus Ortiz in Vance County District Court Monday.

Ortiz faces a voluntary manslaughter charge in the Feb. 21 shooting death of 17-year-old Ja’quon Ty’ree Seward.

Prosecutors indicated there is a strong likelihood the Superior Court grand jury will hear the case for probable cause and make a decision on handing down an indictment before any further hearings in District Court.

Police found Seward, of 710 Southerland Street, with gunshot wounds about four blocks from his home, at the corner of Nicholas and Davis streets about 1 p.m., on that Thursday afternoon.

He was taken to Maria Parham Medical Center, where police say he was pronounced dead.

Less than 11 hours later, police arrested the 20-year-old Ortiz. Henderson police later made an arrest of Corey Cheek Jr., a 17-year-old who faces a charge of intimidating a witness.

Judge Carolyn J. Yancey on Monday ordered Ortiz’s case continued under a $1 million bond set earlier by Judge John Davis. Vance County Jail officials confirmed Ortiz was still in custody Monday afternoon.

The next hearing of the Vance County Superior Court grand jury is scheduled for March 25, according to Assistant District Attorney Allison Capps.

Henderson police are accepting further information through Crime Stoppers. Tips for police can be made by calling (252) 438-4141 or (252) 431-6063. Tips to Crime Stoppers can be made by calling (252) 492-1925, or by going online at hvcrimestoppers.com.

Crime Stoppers pays rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Contact the writer at mfisher@hendersondispatch.com.