Closing Arguments Delivered in Murder Trial Involving Cousins

By Maya Patel [former] , Ying He [former] - June 9, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On June 7, parties in a homicide trial delivered closing arguments following a three-week emotional proceeding before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

Lewkus Turner, 29, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting his cousin, 26-year-old Vincent Gyamfi. The incident occurred on Dec. 11, 2020 at the 2900 block of S Street, SE.

The prosecutor started his closing argument by playing sounds of gunshots that allegedly led to the victim’s death.  He continued with evidence of arguments between Turner and Gyamfi that took place right before Turner allegedly shot and killed him.

An audio of a 911 call made by a concerned witness was also played to show jurors how alarming the argument was between the two men.

“There’s a fight about to break out. It seems to be escalating. They blocked the street with their cars,” the caller can be heard saying.

In addition, prosecutors presented surveillance footage with Turner allegedly telling Gyamfi “I will kill you. When I come back, I’m going to kill you.”

Counter arguing defense attorney Jason Clark said it was not Turner who said “I will kill you. When I come back, I’m going to kill you,” but it was Gyamfi. 

Clark told the jury, “The question you must answer is, is it possible this incident was an act of self-defense?” 

Defense attorneys presented surveillance footage of the incident from a different angle which were intended to portray Gyamfi as the initiator of the dispute. 

In the footage, Gyamfi is shown apparently throwing himself into the Turner’s car, before the shooting occurred. 

The jury began deliberations, which are expected to continue for several days.