Shanna Lowery’s three-year fight for justice finally reaches the courtroom as the man accused of killing her son, Lil Jbo, goes on trial.
Lil Jbo’s family finally gets their moment in court after nearly three years of waiting for justice in the North Carolina rapper’s murder case.
The trial of 27-year-old Chamberlain Oxendine started this week at the Robeson County Courthouse, and Lil Jbo’s mother, Shanna Lowery, made it clear she’s not backing down from seeing this through to the end.
Lowery sat in the courtroom surrounded by family members, ready to hear every detail about what happened to her 20-year-old son on that June 2023 evening.
The pain of losing Lil Jbo didn’t stop when he was killed. Lowery had to endure four separate bond hearings as Oxendine’s legal team kept pushing for his release, forcing the family to relive the trauma over and over again.
“Why is it fair for a mother and family to have to keep coming and reliving this situation when we’re 90 days away from court?” she asked during an interview.
The emotional toll of those repeated court dates wore on everyone, but Lowery refused to let the system wear her down.
According to WPDE, the prosecution is building its case on DNA evidence, claiming that Lil Jbo’s DNA wasn’t found on the weapon Oxendine claims the rapper pointed at him.
The defense is arguing self-defense, saying Oxendine shot to protect himself and his younger brother during a confrontation.
The trial is expected to last two weeks, with more than 20 witnesses taking the stand, and jurors will see surveillance video and hear audio recordings from the home where the shooting occurred.
What makes this case even more personal is that Lil Jbo left behind three small children who’ll grow up without their father.
The city of Lumberton recognized his impact by designating June 27 as Tazarie Butler Day, honoring the young artist who was building a name for himself in the local music scene before his life was cut short.
The family’s determination to see justice has kept this case in the spotlight despite the delays and setbacks that could’ve broken anyone’s spirit.
