Jurors in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court trial of a Lompoc man charged with fatally shooting his wife and nephew two years ago began deliberating his fate on Friday.

The panel received the case after prosecuting attorneys this week told jurors Zavian Chappell acted in anger to deliberately kill the pair and should be convicted of murder. Meanwhile, defense attorneys argued that Chappell fired the weapon in fear as self defense so the panel should find him guilty of a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Chappell, 62, of Lompoc has been charged with two counts of murder for the killings of his wife and nephew early April 30, 2023, at a home on the 1600 block of West Pine Street in Lompoc.

Police found 59-year-old Cassandra Chappell (also known as Cassandra Butler and Cassandra “CeCe” Sims) dead inside the home. 

A nephew she had raised, 29-year-old Tyree Sims McPherson, was found nearby. He had multiple gunshot wounds and died days later at Marian Regional Medical Center. 

Testimony in the trial before Judge Stephen Foley centered on Chappell’s growing rage about his wife’s television viewing habits including “Judge Judy” and similar shows.

The prosecution team of Lindsey Bittner and Jordan Lockey argued jurors should find Chappell guilty of first-degree murder. 

“It started with blame,” Bittner said, adding Chappell considered everything his wife’s fault.

“That blame turned to rage,” she added. 

Evidence jurors heard during the trial included a recorded phone call between Chappell and his daughter, who lived in another state. The call captured an enraged Chappell and his wife’s and nephew’s final moments of life. 

Jurors also saw several of the man’s social media post revealing his anger at his wife and nephew before the shootings. 

Lockey called upon jurors to pay attention to the defendant’s voice on the recordings. 

“There was no fear, only rage,” Lockey said. 

After the shootings, he fled the house and showed up at Lompoc Police Department.

Chappell took the witness stand during trial, but prosectors said he outright lied or had a selective memory.

Jurors also saw a lengthy video of Chappell’s interview with detectives hours after the shootings. 

“He’s laughing and joking as if he didn’t just kill two people,” Lockey said. 

Defense attorneys, Sydney Bennett and Megan Leisz, contended Chappell committed voluntary manslaughter, not murder. 

“Zavian felt like he was in a bad horror movie, but this was not a movie. This was his life,” Leisz added.

She maintained the relationship between the husband and wife never included violence until she hit him just prior to the shooting.

The defense attorney argued the case isn’t about the “Judge Judy” show, although Chappell had testified hating the show and her voice.

“Her voice in his home was like nails on a chalkboard,” Leisz said, adding the show represented his wife’s disregard for his well-being. 

They argued Chappell had been provoked and feared for his safety when he fired the fatal shots.

“He snapped when the two people he cared for most rejected him, turned on him and attacked him,” Leisz said. 

While Chappell testified he had been struck, detectives said he was not injured when he showed up the police station.

In addition to two counts of murder, Chappell faces sentencing enhancements including for use of a firearm.

Jurors began deliberations just before lunch on Friday, and are expected to return Monday morning to resume deliberations. 

Chappell has remained in the custody of the Santa Barbara County Jail since his arrest.