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Trial begins for teen accused of killing USM football player

By Sethanie Smith Jun 17, 2025 | 4:48 PM

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – The trial for one of the suspects accused of killing a Southern Miss football player in 2024 began on June 17.

Orlando May faces multiple charges, including capital murder. Both the prosecution and the defense gave their opening statements on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said May and the other suspects were seen at the apartment complex the night of June 11, 2024, when MJ Daniels was killed. They said the teens killed Daniels while trying to steal his car.

The defense argued that the state will have to prove without a reasonable doubt Daniels was not already deceased inside the car. May’s lawyer said there are holes in the prosecution’s accusations.

  • Orlando May (Courtesy: Forrest County Jail)
  • FILE - This photo provided by the University of Southern Mississippi Department of Athletics shows Southern Mississippi defensive back Marcus "MJ" Daniels Jr. on the Mississippi State University campus in Starkville, Miss., Nov. 18, 2023. (The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Athletics via AP, File)
    FILE – This photo provided by the University of Southern Mississippi Department of Athletics shows Southern Mississippi defensive back Marcus “MJ” Daniels Jr. on the Mississippi State University campus in Starkville, Miss., Nov. 18, 2023. (The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Athletics via AP, File)

Allen Gardner, Samir Green and Nytavion Shaw were also arrested and charged in connection to the fatal shooting. Gardner and Green pled guilty to first-degree murder in February 2025, and Shaw pled guilty to second-degree murder in October 2024.