The Troy Christmas Murders
Photo by WRGB
The Wine
For this episode, we paired the case with a Château Bordeaux wine from Bourdieu, a classic expression of the region’s old-world restraint and structure. Like many Bordeaux blends, Bourdieu offers firm tannins, dark fruit, and an earthy backbone that unfolds slowly with time—demanding patience rather than immediacy. It’s a wine meant to be considered, not rushed, which made it an appropriate companion for a case that requires reflection and gravity. The depth and weight of a traditional Bordeaux mirror the heaviness of this story, reminding us that some narratives—much like some wines—carry a lasting impact long after the glass is empty.
In this episode of Murder Through the Grapevine, we cover one of the most horrific crimes in Troy, New York, history: the Troy Christmas Murders. This case is difficult to discuss, but it’s an important one—both for the victims whose lives were stolen and for the community that continues to feel the impact years later.
Just the Facts
On December 21, 2017, four members of a Troy family were brutally murdered in their basement apartment on Second Avenue. Their bodies were discovered five days later, the day after Christmas.
The victims were:
Shanta Meyers, 36
Jeremiah, her 11-year-old son
Shanise, her 5-year-old daughter
Brandi Mells, 22, Shanta’s fiancée
Shanta also had a 15-year-old son who survived, as he was not home at the time of the murders.
From the outset, investigators believed this was a targeted attack.
The Crime
Warning: This case involves graphic and disturbing details.
The family was found bound in their basement apartment, each victim’s throat slit. Troy Police Chief at the time, John Tedesco, described the crime as horrendous not only for the victims’ loved ones, but also for the officers who responded to the scene.
The Suspects
Two men were arrested just days later, on December 30, 2017, in Schenectady, New York. Surveillance footage from the area played a key role in identifying the suspects.
James White (38)
Previously convicted of manslaughter
Incarcerated from 2001–2010
Notably, that prior crime also involved a knife
White was known to the Schenectady City Mission, where shelter director Michael Saccocio described him as “troubled” and “very aggressive.” White had been banned from the shelter due to violent outbursts.
Justin Mann (24)
On parole at the time of the murders
Mann would later become the prosecution’s key witness
Justin Mann Pleads Guilty
On April 5, 2019, Mann pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree murder before Judge Debra Young. As part of a cooperation agreement requiring him to testify against White, Mann received a sentence of 25 years to life, making him eligible for parole in the future.
The Trials of James White
First Trial – March 2020
White was charged with:
Nine counts of first-degree murder
Four counts of second-degree murder
Burglary, robbery, and possession of stolen property
Mann testified, identifying White as the person who killed the women and children.
However, the trial ended in a mistrial after jury deliberations began—due to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, juror illness, and widespread fear surrounding the virus.
Second Trial – November 202
Before the second trial, White requested new representation. By this point, he had already cycled through multiple attorneys. Ultimately, White chose to represent himself, with attorney Adam Staier present only as legal counsel.
This decision proved significant.
White personally cross-examined Mann—an exchange that often devolved into arguments over who was more responsible. Mann testified that White threatened him with a knife before entering the apartment, saying he would kill Mann and his family if he didn’t cooperate.
According to Mann:
The motive stemmed from a drug-related debt
White wanted to retrieve a television and Xbox controllers
The knife used was described as comparable to Michael Myers’ blade in Halloween
Despite some cognitive challenges and memory gaps, Mann’s testimony largely matched what he had said during the first trial.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf addressed White’s attempt to invoke God during closing arguments:
“God had nothing to do with what happened at 158 Second Ave. Justin Mann and James White viciously, gruesomely killed women and children… God was not involved. But James White and Justin Mann were.”
The Verdict and Sentencing
On December 8, 2021, the jury convicted James White of all 16 charges—including first- and second-degree murder, robbery, burglary, and possession of stolen property. Deliberations took less than two hours.
One juror later told the Times Union:
“There was no way that his story was believable. He was a manipulator and a liar, and that was so evident.”
White’s self-representation played a major role in the jury’s perception, allowing them to observe him directly throughout the trial.
January 2022: Justin Mann officially sentenced to 25 years to life
January 13, 2022: James White sentenced to life in prison without parole
During sentencing, White continued to deflect blame—criticizing the judge, prosecutors, and even his own defense, despite having represented himself.
Final Thoughts
Four lives were lost over what prosecutors described as a $12 marijuana debt, a television, and video game controllers. The senselessness of this crime is staggering—and the impact on the surviving family and the Troy community is immeasurable.
This episode of Murder Through the Grapevine is not an easy listen, but it is an important one. We honor the victims by telling their story accurately, thoughtfully, and without sensationalism.
Listen to the full episode now to hear our complete discussion, reflections, and breakdown of this devastating case.
Links:
https://www.essence.com/news/arrest-made-shanta-myers-death-family/
