Convict’s Statement Backs Up Prosecution’s Theory for 2 Homicides

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During a trial April 4, prosecutors said video recordings of a convicted murderer’s interview with police backed up their theory for another murder.

Devaun Drayton

Terik McLeod is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the deaths of 17-year-old Devaun Drayton and 23-year-old Carlton Fisher in 2004 and 2006, respectively. According to DC Courts, the witness, who was initially charged with 13 offenses including first-degree murder for an unrelated homicide, entered into a plea deal in 2009 for voluntary manslaughter.

During the video interview, which took place in 2007, the witness told police that McLeod killed Drayton after Drayton stole a gun from McLeod. He said another man, who is Drayton’s cousin, “set [Drayton] up” to be killed by McLeod.

Carlton Fisher

The witness also told police that McLeod sold the gun used in Drayton’s murder to Fisher. McLeod then killed Fisher because he was a “snitch.” 

However, during his testimony on April 4, the witness said he could not remember what happened. The witness told the jury that he made up his statement so the police would release him.

Defense attorney Bruce Cooper said the witness had immunity from giving false statements in 2007 as part of the plea agreement.

The witness, who was serving his sentence in a halfway house, was incarcerated again for attempting to escape.

The trial is scheduled to continue on April 9.

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