Defendant Appears in Court for First Time In Nearly a Year

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 12, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A murder defendant appeared in court for the first time in more than a year.

Joshua Massaquoi is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy and a gun-related offense in connection to the death of 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW in 2008. Massaquoi, 31, is currently being held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital.

According to DC Courts, Massaquoi was last in court on April 3, 2018.

During the hearing April 11, Massaquoi’s attorney said the case was progressing well and that he had no issues to raise.

Massaquoi is scheduled for a status hearing on July 12.

Mason Binion and Victor Carvajal are also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Taylor’s death. Carvajal, 32, is scheduled for a status hearing on July 12. Binion, 31, is scheduled for a mental observation hearing on May 7.

According to court documents, a witness told police that Taylor helped “broker a deal” between a drug dealer and a group of individuals, including Binion, Carvajal and Massaquoi. Apparently, the group paid for marijuana but never received it.

Binion told police he supplied the gun and set up the murder. Massaquoi told police Binion shot Taylor and that Carvajal hit Taylor in the head with a rock.