BREAKING: Death Penalty Decision Pending in Double Homicide & Drug Case in Vermont

BREAKING: Death Penalty Decision Pending in Double Homicide & Drug Case in Vermont

🧑‍⚖️ Death Penalty Review

• Theodore “Theo” Bland, 30, of Burlington, may face the federal death penalty for the October 12, 2023 double murder of two Massachusetts men in Lowell, VT.

• The decision is under review by the U.S. Deputy Attorney General, and will then be sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi for a final decision.

• A Department of Justice Capital Case Committee reviewed arguments in June and made a confidential recommendation.

🕵️‍♂️ Case Details

• Bland is charged with killing Jahim “Debo” Solomon and Eric “E” White, both 21, believed to be out-of-state drug dealers.

• Their bodies were found two weeks later, in Eden, about a mile apart.

• Bland was seen by a witness “shooting down a hallway” inside a mobile home on Eden Road in Lowell, which was being used as a drug distribution point.

🔫 Charges Against Bland

• Two counts of using and discharging a firearm while drug trafficking, with death resulting.

• Charges carry potential capital punishment, depending on AG Bondi’s decision.

• Bland has pleaded not guilty and is currently detained out-of-state.

• He is represented by three defense attorneys, including Bruce Toffsky and David Sleigh.

🧬 Related Prosecutions

✅ Graham “Scotty” Taylor, 47, Morristown

• Newly arraigned on 6 federal drug charges, including:

  • Maintaining a crack house at 779 Moren Loop (2022–2025)

  • Distribution of crack and powder cocaine on five dates

• Allegedly hosted Bland, Teesha Nooth (Bland’s ex), and Solomon

• Court records say firearms were traded at the home

• Currently detained; defense has 2 months to file motions

✅ Dilan D. Jiron, 29

• Nephew of Judge Justin Jiron

• Has admitted conspiring to use firearms in drug trafficking with Bland

• Expected to be a key government witness

• Was not initially arrested but later jailed after skipping court

✅ Teresa C. Youngblut, 21, Seattle

• In a separate Vermont case, she faces death penalty eligibility for killing a Border Patrol agent on Jan. 20, 2025.

🏛️ Political Context

• President Trump (re-elected Jan. 2025) has directed AG Bondi to seek more death penalty cases, especially for violent drug crimes.

• Contrasts with former President Biden, who had paused federal capital prosecutions.

• The Bland case began before Trump’s second term but was re-indicted with capital-eligible charges in 2025.