Trial Began for Orlando 2021 Double Murder
Doujon Griffiths faces murder charges for the 2021 deaths of Massania Malcom and her 1-year-old child.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Violence
Jury selection began in Orlando for the trial of 26-year-old Doujon Griffiths. He is accused of the 2021 murders of 20-year-old Massania Malcom and her 1-year-old child, Jordania.
Why it matters
The legal proceedings stem from a 2021 incident where tensions reportedly rose after the victims asked Griffiths to move out of their shared apartment. The trial aims to address the specific charges of premeditated first-degree murder and other related offenses.
Doujon Griffiths faces charges of premeditated first-degree murder, murder with a firearm, and attempted first-degree murder. The proceedings are expected to last through the week following the commencement of jury selection.
The players
Doujon Griffiths
He is the 26-year-old defendant currently standing trial for multiple charges of first-degree murder.
Vincent Chiu
He is the presiding judge overseeing the murder trial in the Orlando court.
Massania Malcom
She was a 20-year-old victim who was found deceased alongside her child in 2021.
Jordania
She was the 1-year-old child of Massania Malcom who died in the 2021 shooting incident.
The details
The victims were discovered in a parking lot on Lake Ellenor Drive two days after the incident occurred on September 7, 2021. Judge Vincent Chiu has allowed the use of one identification photo of the child victim during the trial while denying a defense request to sequester the jury.
Timeline
September 7, 2021: The incident involving the shooting and deaths occurred.
September 28, 2026: Jury selection for the trial began in Orlando.
Week of September 29, 2026: The trial is scheduled to take place.
Legal Context
The proceedings follow established Florida judicial protocols regarding jury sequestration, which the court declined to enforce for this case. This decision reflects standard administrative procedures for managing jury panels in the Orlando judicial circuit.
The trial brings renewed focus to the 2021 security incident on Lake Ellenor Drive. Residents may see increased activity or heightened security around the courthouse as the legal process continues throughout the week.
The takeaway
The trial brings long-awaited judicial review to a case that has remained unresolved for five years. Families and community members seeking closure will follow the proceedings as the court examines the evidence regarding the 2021 tragedy.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in the area, visit Violence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WESH.
