A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson’s courtroom on Sept. 16 found a defendant guilty of manslaughter for his coworker’s death.
Wali Shabazz, 51, was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business for his involvement in the fatal stabbing of 41-year-old Martin Gross on April 27, 2024 on the 100 block of T Street, SW.
Shabazz and Gross worked together at Bike Valet DMV outside of Audi Field.
After less than a day of deliberations, the jury found Shabazz not guilty of second-degree murder, but guilty of the lesser-included offense of voluntary manslaughter while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon.
After Shabazz’s conviction, Judge Dayson changed his release conditions from personal recognizance to GPS monitoring.
Throughout the trial that started on Sept. 10, Shabazz’s attorneys, Michelle Stevens and Lisbeth Sapirstein, asserted their client acted in self-defense after Gross verbally and physically assaulted him.
The prosecution argued that Shabazz used unnecessary force when he stabbed Gross 12 times in the chest and torso area.
Shabazz’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13.
