When 29-year-old Urel Duncan and his friend made the decision to sit on the front steps of a Codman Park duplex townhouse on a fall night almost three years ago, “unbeknownst to any of them…they were literally risking their lives,” a Suffolk County prosecutor told a Superior Court jury in the second murder trial to open today in Suffolk Superior Court.

SHAWN “SHANKS” DAUGHTRY (D.O.B. 5/14/80) of Roxbury is charged with first-degree murder for Duncan’s fatal shooting on the evening of Sept. 20, 2007, and armed assault with intent to murder for the non-fatal shooting of Duncan’s then 19-year-old friend, who was seated next to him on the steps. He is additionally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm.

Daughtry’s co-defendant and alleged joint venturer, DEMETRIUS WARDSWORTH (D.O.B. 12/26/88), was convicted of the same offenses at a separate trial late last year. He is serving a life sentence.

Assistant District Attorney Gretchen Lundgren told the court that Duncan and his friend were targeted not because of who they were but because of where they lived – in the New Academy Estates housing development in Roxbury. Police and prosecutors have maintained that neither victim was involved in gangs, drugs, or crime, and both had been selected at random by the gunmen.

Ten days prior to Duncan’s murder, Daughtry had been shot by someone whom he believed lived in the Academy Homes housing development, Lundgren said. At about 9 p.m. on Sept. 20, he allegedly enlisted Wardsworth’s help and “callously decided to go to Academy Homes and shoot the first group they saw.”

“Each armed with guns, they took out their guns, pointed them, and made those four individuals pay for a crime they didn’t commit,” Lundgren said. “Urel Duncan paid the ultimate price.”

One of the bullets struck Duncan in the head, piercing his skull and destroying his brain, Lundgren told the court. Duncan’s friend was shot in the foot as he attempted to flee the attack. Both men were rushed to Boston Medical Center, where Duncan died of his injuries; his friend was treated and later released from the hospital.

Lundgren told the court that a surveillance camera positioned close to the scene captured footage of two men in hooded sweatshirts – one in gray and one in black, both with dark colored pants – producing firearms and pointing them at the victims, then fleeing the scene.

Less than an hour after the shooting, Lundgren said, members of the Boston Police Youth Violence Strike Force stopped two men matching those descriptions less than one mile from Codman Park. Subsequently identified as Daughtry and Wardsworth, they were both nervous and sweating; Wardsworth was visibly shaking. The two men were separated, and brought to police headquarters, where Daughtry gave a statement and provided an alibi to police.

Both men were released so police and prosecutors could continue the investigation. During this time, investigators were able to analyze gunshot residue that had been taken from Daughtry’s left hand, and the surveillance video that captured the shooting, as well as witness statements. In 2008, the Suffolk County Grand Jury indicted both men, and on April 1, 2008, they were arrested for their roles in the shooting.

Daughtry is represented by attorney Barry Wilson. Proceedings are ongoing before Judge Frank Gaziano in courtroom 906.