Lawyers for two co-defendants urged the jury to doubt the credibility of the prosecution’s star witness during closing statements in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on May 20.
Alonzo Brown, 28, and Naquel Henderson, 27, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
The charges stem from their alleged involvement in the shooting that killed 21-year-old Michael Taylor and injured two additional victims on Jan. 12, 2019 on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.
Brown and Henderson are two of five men charged with Taylor’s death. Stephon Evans, 24, and Tavist Alston, 31, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed. Carlos Turner, 27, is scheduled for sentencing June 5.
According to Steven Kiersh, Brown’s attorney, Turner accepted a plea deal that required him to plead guilty to second-degree murder.
During closing arguments, the prosecution argued the defendants committed the shooting in retaliation for the death of their close friend. According to court documents, the defendants were close to 19-year-old Shamar Marbury who was fatally shot on Jan. 1, 2019 on the 4200 block of Barnaby Road, SE.
Prosecutors highlighted a key witness’ testimony in which he claimed to identify the defendants and said they conspired, then committed the shooting along with him.
In defense closing arguments, Kiersh alleged the prosecution lacked evidence because they presented no DNA, fingerprint, or other biological evidence related to Brown. He added that there was no evidence of a gun connecting Brown to the crime. “The only evidence they have comes from the mouth of [a key witness],” said Kiersh and “[a key witness] has every reason to come in here and lie.”
Henderson’s defense attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, mirrored Kiersh’s argument and said the key witness is unreliable and untruthful. “He invents details,” said Sapirstein. She also noted the lack of DNA, fingerprint, firearm, or cell site evidence related to Henderson. Sapirstein said her client is not guilty by association to other individuals connected to the crime.
Parties will reconvene when the jury reaches a verdict.
