Missing Paso Robles man was a witness in a murder case before he disappeared
A missing Paso Robles man whose disappearance in March is being called suspicious had testified months earlier in an ongoing North San Luis Obispo County murder case, records show.
Paso Robles police on Wednesday announced that they now believe foul play is suspected in the disappearance of Trevon Perry, who was last seen leaving a small get-together at a friend’s house on March 16.
The Police Department had not disclosed Perry’s past cooperation with prosecutors nor explained why they believed foul play was suspected when they made their announcement seeking information about the disappearance.
Court records show that Perry testified in December for the prosecution against Kejuan Bynum, who is accused of fatally stabbing another Paso Robles man in June 2019.
Perry was last seen March 16 in the area of Poppy Lane, according to the Paso Robles Police Department Facebook post.
According to the department, he was last seen by his family leaving his home with some friends, who reportedly later told police they last saw Perry leave another friend’s home on foot after attending a small gathering.
None of Perry’s friends or family have been able to contact him since then, and it appears his cell phone has been turned off, police said.
One of Perry’s friends called the agency to report him missing in March, the post reads, though the Paso Robles Police Department and San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s office have reportedly been investigating the incident for the past eight weeks.
According to the Paso Robles Police Department news release, more than 15 investigators between the two agencies are on the case, and several search warrants have been executed to collect evidence, the release says.
The Tribune reached out to Paso Robles Police Chief Ty Lewis about Perry’s involvement in Bynum’s case and has not yet heard back.
Asked about whether Perry’s disappearance is believed to be related to his participation in the murder case, Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth would only confirm Perry was a witness and said that the agency has been working with Paso Robles police since shortly after he went missing.
Asked what effect Perry’s disappearance might have on the case, Dobroth added that there were several witnesses to the events surrounding Bynum’s case, aside from Perry.
A deadly stabbing in Shandon
Perry was an alleged witness to the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Cristopher Vento Wilson of Paso Robles during some sort of altercation involving a group of people June 1, 2019.
A news release at the time said deputies responded on the evening of June 1 to the 200 block of Escondido Way, where one man had been stabbed during a fight. Wilson was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Bynum, 27, has been charged with a single count of murder and several sentencing enhancements for use of a deadly weapon, among other allegations.
He’s pleaded not guilty, and his mother told The Tribune in an early court appearance that her son told her he was attacked by several men and dragged into the street during an altercation.
Bynum has been in custody without bail at San Luis Obispo County Jail since his June 1 arrest because he is currently on parole after serving state prison time for robbery and making criminal threats in 2015, according to San Luis Obispo Superior Court records.
Court records also show that during Bynum’s Dec. 4, 2019, preliminary hearing, Perry was among three witnesses who testified on behalf of the prosecution.
Perry testified on the stand for more than an hour, records show. The Tribune did not have a reporter present at that hearing, and it is not clear what Perry said during his testimony.
But following his and other witness testimony, a Superior Court judge found that enough probable cause exists in the case against Bynum to move the murder charge toward trial.
A trial setting conference in that case is scheduled for June 8.
Bynum’s attorney, Scott Taylor, said Thursday morning that he only learned of the connection after Wednesday’s announcement by the police department and did not have any information about Perry’s disappearance.
Investigators are asking for the public’s help in Perry’s missing persons case.
He is described as a light-skinned African-American man of medium build who stands about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and weighs 170 pounds, police said.
According to the Police Department, he was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and possibly a black sweatshirt with a black baseball hat.
Perry also has tattoos on both his arms and regularly wears a St. Christopher necklace, police said.
The department is asking anyone with information regarding Perry to call 805-237-6464 and ask for Det. Bryce Lickness.
This article has been updated to include comments from Assistant District Attorney Dobroth and defense attorney Scott Taylor.
This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 12:12 PM.
