The suspect in the 2021 fatal shooting on Pullman’s College Hill is on trial for manslaughter this week.
George Melvin Harris III, 26, faces felony first-degree manslaughter charges in Whitman County Superior Court. The jury was seated Monday morning, and arguments begin this afternoon in Colfax.
Harris is accused of fatally shooting his Pullman roommate 23 year old Liban Barre in September of 2021. Harris also allegedly shot former Washington State University football player Brandon Grey. Grey sustained serious injuries but refused to cooperate with investigators.
Prosecutors were unable to charge Harris for allegedly shooting Grey because he refused to speak with detectives.
The fatal shooting took place near a large party on College Hill. Harris allegedly told Pullman police that he was acting in self-defense. The lengthy Pullman police investigation took years to complete before charges were filed in June of last year.
Harris’ manslaughter trial is scheduled to last most of this week in Whitman County Superior Court.