Detective Continues Testimony about Events that Link Defendants to Shooting

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During the trial on April 18, a detective delivered testimony about four separate Instagram videos showing some defendants dancing and singing along to songs just two hours after Makiyah Wilson was declared deceased.

Gregory Taylor, 26, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 22, and Marquell Cobbs, 21, are six of 10 defendants charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, and other charges regarding a fatal drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of 10-year-old Wilson. The shooting happened on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.

Before she concluded her four hour long questioning, the prosecutor played various Instagram videos associated with the defendants. These videos included a conversation between Jeffers and a follower on InstagramLive. The recording, which was filmed from the passenger seat of an associated vehicle, showed Jeffers briefly flashing an assault rifle.

The prosecutor also played surveillance tapes from the day of the murder, where the detective identified Michals. During Thursday’s trial, the detective also identified Murchison and Thomas.

Street cameras caught a black sedan and a silver BMW. The two vehicles, allegedly associated with Wilson’s death, were seen traveling to and from an apartment complex on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE.

The parties will continue the trial on April 19.

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