An Easton man has been found guilty of first-degree murder by a Northampton County jury for the 2018 killing of Tyrell Holmes. The verdict was announced by Attorney General Dave Sunday, following a trial that lasted seven days.
Holmes, aged 18 at the time of his death, was discovered near a dumpster outside an apartment complex. Investigations revealed he had been stabbed and set on fire while still alive. The convicted individual, Alkiohn Dunkins, now 26 years old, was part of a gang known as "Money Rules Everything."
Attorney General Sunday commented on the case: “This violent criminal organization has terrorized the people of the Lehigh Valley for far too long. This verdict takes one of their members off the street so he cannot victimize anyone else.” He also expressed sympathy for Holmes's family: “My heart goes out to the Holmes family for their loss and I pray that this verdict aids them in their healing process.”
The crime scene investigation from April 2018 showed Holmes had four stab wounds to his neck and torso. Evidence such as phone records and surveillance video contributed to Dunkins's arrest along with three others: Miles Harper from Allentown, Yzire Jenkins-Rowe from Collegeville, and Zahmire Welcome from Whitehall.
Harper has admitted guilt to aggravated arson and is awaiting sentencing. Legal proceedings are ongoing for Jenkins-Rowe and Welcome.
Dunkins is scheduled for sentencing on May 7. The prosecution team included Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher Phillips and Senior Deputy Attorney General Katherine McDermott.