Trevor Sands Found Guity in Two Separate Columbus Murders

Posted on 10/3/2022

Defendant: Trevor Sands

A Franklin County jury on Monday, Sept. 19, found Trevor Sands guilty of two separate murders. The court convicted Sands on seven counts stemming from the shooting deaths of Jeannot Mendy and Gerald Talley.

On April 24, 2017, Sands shot and killed Mr. Mendy during a robbery attempt in Canal Winchester. Sands shot Mr. Mendy in the back when Mr. Mendy turned and attempted to grab a knife to defend himself.

On May 8, 2017, Sands shot and Killed Mr. Talley during what began as an attempt to steal firearms from the victim’s home. Sands and an accomplice initially attacked Mr.Talley outside of the house. Mr. Talley fought back and attempted to flee into his home. Sands opened fire, with two of the bullets striking Mr. Talley. The 63-year-old died onhis kitchen floor.

On May 27, 2017, Sands was in a vehicle pulled over by Gahanna Police Officer Timothy Swalley. Officer Swalley recovered a .45 firearm under Sands’ seat that matched the casings found at both murder scenes.
After an exhaustive investigation by the Columbus Division of Police, led by Detective Art Hughes, a grand jury indicted Sands in 2020. At that time, Sands was an inmate at a federal prison in West Virginia where he is currently serving a 15-year federal prison sentence for armed robberies.

Prosecutors were able to use the testimony of multiple witnesses, including two witnesses who testified the defendant admitted to both murders, to secure a conviction on seven of the eight charges. Other evidence used included text messages for the May 8 murder, cell tower data, and the admission from the defendant that he possessed the .45 firearm on May 27. Sands claimed he had found the firearm one week prior.

Sands was found guilty on the following charges:
• Count 2: Murder (purpose) with a three-year firearm specification (victim Jeannot Mendy)
• Count 3: Murder (felony murder) with a three-year firearm specification (victim Jeannot Mendy)
• Count 4: Aggravated murder with a three-year firearm specification (victim Gerald Talley)
• Count 5: Murder (purpose) with a three-year firearm specification (victim Gerald Talley)
• Count 6: Murder (felony murder) with a three-year firearm specification (victim Gerald Talley)
• Counts 7 and 8: Having a weapon while under a disability (one per murder)

Sands is set to be sentenced on Oct. 4, 2022. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 26 years. The maximum possible sentence is life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Franklin County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Steve Schott and Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Geraghty handled the case. The Honorable Andy Miller presided over the trial.