Co-Defendant In 2018 Drive-By Shooting Case Scheduled For Bond Review Hearing

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A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a bond review hearing for one of the defendants charged in connection with a 2018 drive-by shooting that killed a 10-year-old girl.

Co-defendants Isaiah Murchison, 21, Antonio Murchison, 28, Marquell Cobbs, 19, and Darrise Jeffers, 21, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting of Makiyah Wilson on July 16, 2018, on the 300 block of 53rd street, NE. The shooting is alleged to have been the result of a neighborhood rivalry.

The four are also charged with conspiracy, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed and criminal street gang affiliation in this case.

Back in August, Isaiah Murchison’s attorneys, Elizabeth Wellner and Carrie Weletz, filed a motion for their client’s release from DC Jail.

In it, they state that Murchinson has no prior criminal history, strong community ties and a place to live. They also argue that the prosecution’s case against him is weak.

After the defendant was indicted in May 2019, a judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest. However, US Marshals did not find and arrest him until August 2020. But Wellner and Weletz state that, “there is no direct information about if or when Mr. Murchison became aware of the indictment or warrant.” They also point out that he has never failed to appear in court or had a bench warrant issued for him before this.

Isaiah Murchison’s bond review hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8.

During the four’s Sept. 15 hearing, the prosecution said they will be retesting a majority of the evidence. The DNA evidence will take four to six months. Updated DNA results are expected to be provided to the defense within two weeks.

The defendants’ trial is scheduled to begin in October 2022.

Qujuan Thomas, 22, Quentin Michals, 24, Gregory Taylor, 26, Mark Price, 27, Quincy Garvin, 21, and Saquan Williams, 19, are also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Wilson’s death. Their trial is scheduled to start May 2, 2022