‘He was trying to kill me’: Teen capital murder suspect testifies in 16-year-old’s killing

A teenager currently on trial for capital murder took the stand in his own defense this week, testifying that he believed his life was in jeopardy during a fatal encounter two years ago. Christian Cole, now 19, is facing charges in the shooting death of 16-year-old Jaylin Jenkins, which occurred in a Birmingham neighborhood in April 2024.

The Defense and the Incident

Cole, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, is charged with capital murder during a robbery, capital murder in a vehicle, and robbery. During his two-hour testimony, he maintained that he was acting in self-defense, telling the court, “I believed he was trying to kill me. I was trying to go home.”

The confrontation, which unfolded on April 9, 2024, resulted in Jenkins being pronounced dead at the scene at 8:40 p.m. with his parents nearby. According to trial testimony, the dispute centered on a disagreement at a local store in the Inglenook community. The defense, led by attorney Darryl Bender, argued that Cole did not initiate a robbery and that his possession of a weapon was intended to prevent the victim from potentially using it against him. Judge Shanta Owens denied a motion for acquittal from the defense earlier this week.

Conflicting Accounts

Prosecutors contend that Cole shot Jenkins “in cold blood” during a robbery involving a BB gun. Deputy District Attorneys Tiffany Ould and DeMario Thornton presented evidence suggesting five shots were fired, challenging Cole’s claim that he only fired three times. Furthermore, the prosecution questioned the physical state of the defendant following the incident, highlighting surveillance footage that appeared to contradict Cole's claim that his foot was run over by the victim's vehicle.

The heartbreaking nature of the case was evident in court, as family members of Jenkins were visibly moved during the presentation of evidence. Jenkins was a home-schooled student and the oldest of four siblings who had simply gone to the store to pick up items for a family dinner.

Legal Status and Next Steps

Because Cole was a minor at the time of the offense, he is not eligible for the death penalty. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life or life without the possibility of parole. If sentenced to life, he would not be eligible for parole for at least 30 years. Following his surrender to Birmingham police the day after the shooting—a move made alongside family and legal counsel—Cole has remained the center of this high-stakes trial. Jenkins’ tragic death continues to weigh heavily on the community as jurors prepare to enter deliberations.