Convicted Murderers Sentenced to More Than 30 Years for Death of 10-Year-Old Girl

By Adriana Marroquin - October 23, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 20, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced four of six defendants to more than 30 years incarceration for their involvement in the mass shooting that killed a 10-year-old girl in 2018. 

On June 13, 28-year-old Gregory Taylor, 25-year-old Qujuan Thomas, and 24-year-old Darrise Jeffers were convicted of first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, four counts of assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault while armed, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and six counts of criminal gang affiliation, for their involvement in the murder of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on July 16, 2018, at the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE. The incident left four other individuals suffering from extensive gunshot injuries. 

Another defendant, 26-year-old Quentin Michals was convicted of all charges, except the six counts of possession of a firearm. 

According to prosecutors, the defendants belong to what’s known as the Wellington Park Crew, which they argue is a criminal street gang and are responsible for crimes throughout the District. 

Several members of Makiyah’s family delivered impact statements. Her mother described her as “an angel on earth,” and said Makiyah would brighten up any room she walked into. She deemed July 16 “the worst day of [her] life,” stating that the defendants ruined her life. 

“I want them to know what they took away,” she said, arguing that she will never be the same. She told Judge Okun, “You could give them a million years, it won’t bring Makiyah back”. 

In a letter read by prosecutors, Makiyah’s father stated the family is experiencing “everlasting sorrow, pain, and trauma,” and “losing Makiyah was losing a light in [his] life”.

Likewise, Makiyah’s grandmother said, “These young men are out here killing and hurting people in honor of Shy Glizzy,” who prosecutors argue is the individual leading the Wellington Park Crew in gang-related activities.

“My baby is gone… for what?” she insisted. “What you took from me can never be replaced,” she said. 

Many of the individuals who delivered statements emphasized the defendants’ upbeat mood and lack of remorse during the months-long trials, saying, “We watched you laugh”. 

One of the individuals, who identified herself as “Makiyah’s honorary aunt,” stated, “Today we get justice, today y’all’s a***s get sentenced,” insisting it’s been a long time coming. 

Following the family’s victim impact statements, prosecutors made requests for each defendant’s sentence. 

Prosecutors said Jeffers was not a shooter, but was the individual that provided the assault rifle that killed Makiyah, obliterating her torso. Due to his involvement in the planning and his involvement in bringing the deadly weapon to his co-conspirators, prosecutors requested Judge Okun impose consecutive sentences for the murder and conspiracy charges, with all other counts running concurrently. They requested 60 months for the conspiracy and 400 months for the murder, totaling a little over 38 years. 

“Had he not brought the assault rifle, Makiyah may as well be alive,” prosecutors insisted. They stated that Jeffers had opportunities to better himself and had a mentor who wanted him to succeed, but still pledged allegiance to the group that killed and hurt others, and bought, sold, and armored guns for the group. They requested the 38 year sentence to “ensure he never does this again”. 

For Taylor’s sentencing, prosecutors requested the four counts of assault with intent to kill, the conspiracy, and the murder sentences run consecutively and everything else concurrently stating that he has previous criminal history which should be taken into consideration, and he played a significant role in all of the events for the conspiracy and in Makiyah’s killing. Because of that, they requested he be sentenced to a total of 82.5 years, with 72 months for the conspiracy, 480 months for the murder, 132 months for one of the assaults with intent to kill, and 102 months for each of the other three assaults with intent to kill.

Prosecutors noted that their request would mean a life sentence for Taylor, and stated the US Attorney’s Office does not make that request lightly, stating that “several lives were changed forever in Clay Terrace, and had it not been that neighborhood, it would’ve been another community”. They also stated that Taylor had several chances to choose another path in his life, arguing that his mother had done everything in her power to get him to change direction.

“He chose the streets and beefs and senseless violence,” prosecutors said, claiming that he encouraged others to be a part of it and celebrated when they were involved in shootings. “That crew robbed [the Clay Terrace community] of the sense of safety,” they insisted, arguing Taylor played a big role in the crew’s leadership.

Likewise, for Michals, prosecutors requested Judge Okun impose consecutive sentences for the assaults with intent to kill, the conspiracy, and the murder, stating that, although he was not one of the shooters because he was experiencing a gunshot injury, he played an integral part in the conspiracy. Prosecutors also argued that the crew’s beef specifically stemmed from Michals’ personal issues with individuals from other neighborhoods. Unlike the others charged, they stated Michals didn’t have the same opportunities to change, and had become more entrenched in gang warfare.

Prosecutors requested Judge Okun impose a sentence of 72 months for the conspiracy charge, 400 months for the murder, 120 months for one of the assaults with intent to kill, and 90 months for each of the other three assaults with intent to kill, with all other charges running concurrently, totaling just under 72 years. 

Similarly, prosecutors requested Thomas be given a sentence that required him to serve the assaults with intent to kill, murder, and conspiracy charges consecutively, with all other charges running concurrently. They argued he played a significant role as a shooter, and had “plenty of second chances,” following many run-ins with law enforcement. He was previously convicted of an armed robbery, for which he was on release during the time of the murder. 

They requested Thomas be sentenced to 60 months for conspiracy, 480 months for the murder, 132 months for one assault, and 114 months for each of the three other assaults, arguing that, on the day of the murder, he was meeting with his probation officer while alerting his co-conspirators that he was in possession of a 100 round drum for his AR pistol, which was used during the mass shooting. Prosecutors stated their request for 84.5 years incarceration was not made lightly, but took into account his lack of compliance and his refusal to improve. 

Defense attorneys for all defendants requested lighter sentences that run concurrent to one another, arguing that any consecutive sentence would likely result in a life sentence for their clients. “How much punishment is enough… what are we trying to accomplish?” asked Taylor’s, Michals’, and Thomas’ defense attorneys, arguing that life sentences won’t help.

Joseph Caleb, Jeffers’ defense attorney stated that sentences that run concurrently at the bottom of the guidelines would be justified and supported by the evidence of Jeffers’ involvement at the trial. He claimed that Jeffers was not the one to provide the assault rifle, but rather gave a ride to the individual that provided it for the rest of the group. According to Caleb, everything prosecutors brought against Jeffers are “allegations” at best. 

Jonathan Zucker, Taylor’s defense attorney, requested Judge Okun sentence him and allow him to serve the time with the hope of the opportunity that as an elder he will get out of prison and can see his children in their 40s. 

Errin Scialpi, Michals’ defense attorney, requested a total of 30 years, stating that Michals had experienced violence personally, having been shot twice and almost dying in one of the incidents. She claimed that Michals sustained trauma for which he had not been treated nor ever recovered.

Likewise, Julie Swaney, Thomas’ defense attorney, stated that Clay Terrace, where Makiyah’s murder occurred, was not the only community affected by the incident, arguing that the Wellington Park community had lost these six defendants to incarceration. “A life sentence is a severe and excessive punishment,” she said, refuting the prosecutor’s request. 

“We are all much more than the worst thing we’ve ever done,” said Swaney, stating that Thomas was leaving behind a six-year-old daughter who would be unable to grow up with a father. “Three decades is enough to serve justice,” she insisted. 

There were no statements made by any of the defendants. 

Before imposing the sentences, Judge Okun expressed his sorrow for the loss and pain Makiyah’s family and surviving victims suffered. 

He said District law requires that if there are multiple crimes of violence for which an individual needs to be sentenced, at least one sentence must run consecutive to another. However, there is an exception if a judge believes the lengths of the sentences would be manifestly unjust. 

He stated that Thomas and Taylor would serve consecutive sentences for the murder and assaults with intent to kill due to the seriousness of the crime and because it was proven that they were two of the four shooters. “Concurrent sentences would minimize the pain and suffering experienced by the victims and their families,” he said. All other charges, including the conspiracy charge, will be served concurrently. 

As for Michals and Jeffers, because they were not shooters, he believed that imposing all consecutive sentences would be excessive, but that the conspiracy charge would run consecutively to the murder charge due to the facts of the case. 

“I recognize these sentences are very long,” Judge Okun said, arguing that the nature of the crimes made the sentences justifiable and warranted. 

Judge Okun sentenced Jeffers to 60 months for the conspiracy charge, and 360 months for the murder charge, which he will be required to serve consecutively, but concurrent to all other charges, totaling 35 years incarceration. He was sentenced to 60 months for each of the possession charges,12 months for each of the gang affiliation charges, 90 months for each of the assaults with intent to kill, and 60 months for aggravated assault, which will run concurrently. He’s also required to serve 5 years of supervised release, register as a gun offender, and pay a total of $1900 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF).  

Michals was sentenced to 60 months for the conspiracy and 420 months for the murder, which will run consecutively to one another. He was also sentenced to 12 months for each of the six gang affiliation charges, 90 months for each of the four assaults with intent to kill, and 60 months for the aggravated assault charge, which will run concurrent to one another and to the conspiracy and murder sentences, totaling 40 years of incarceration. He’s also required to serve 5 years of supervised release, register as a gun offender, and pay a total of $1300 to the compensation fund. 

Moreover, Judge Okun sentenced Taylor to 420 months for the murder and 90 months for each of the four assaults with intent to kill, which will run consecutive to one another, totaling 65 years of incarceration. He was also sentenced to 60 months for the conspiracy, 60 months for each of the possession charges, 60 months for the aggravated assault, and 12 months for each of the criminal gang affiliation charges, which will run concurrent to all charges. He’s also required to serve 5 years of supervised release, register as a gun offender, and pay a total of $1900 as compensation.  

As Judge Okun imposed the sentence, Taylor was observed silently mouthing “f**k you” to Makiyah’s family, that was sitting in the courtroom. Later, Taylor’s family members denied that happened.

Lastly, Thomas was sentenced to the longest time due to his criminal history. He’s required to serve 360 months for the murder and 114 months for each of the assaults with intent to kill charges, which will run consecutively to one another, totaling 68 years of incarceration. He was also sentenced to 60 months for the conspiracy, 60 months for each of the six possession charges, 72 months for the aggravated assault, and 14 months for each of the gang affiliation charges, which will run concurrently to all charges. He’s also required to serve 5 years of supervised release, register as a gun offender, and pay a total of $1900 to the crime fund. 

As each defendant was escorted out of the courtroom, Judge Okun wished them luck. 

Two other co-defendants, 24-year-old Isaiah Murchison and 21-year-old Marquell Cobbs, were previously sentenced on Oct. 6 for their involvement in the incident. Cobbs was acquitted of all charges, except conspiracy, and was sentenced to 6 years of incarceration. Murchison was convicted of all charges, and was sentenced to 60 years incarceration. 

All defendants will get credit for time served.