Did Witness ID Murder Defendant for Reward Money?

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 29, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

According to a defense attorney, a witness only identified a murder defendant after police told him about the reward money.

Kenneth Bellamy is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun-related offenses for allegedly shooting 23-yer-old Michael Tyrone Jones on the 3500 block of East Capital Street, SE in 2015.

Jon Norris, Bellamy’s defense attorney, said the witness named Bellamy, 35, as the shooter after the police mentioned that he could receive up to $25,000 in reward money. Norris said the witness inquired about the money before giving his grand jury testimony.

“You lied to the police, you lied to the grand jury and now you’re lying to the ladies and gentlemen of the jury,” Norris told the witness on May 28.

Norris said the witness also changed his story multiple times, including changing the location of the shooting and denied being on the scene.  

In addition to the witness’s story changes, Norris said the witness violated a court order, given by DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman, to remain silent about his previous testimony on May 23. According to Norris, the witness spoke to a detective, saying he believed the defense was trying to pin Jones’ murder on him.

Norris said the detective told Judge Edelman that the witness said he was worried he was going to get into trouble.

During the prosecution’s redirect, the witness agreed that he inquired about the money but said he was telling the truth. Apparently, the witness told the grand jury, “I don’t even want that money” and that he just wanted to move on.

The trial will continue on May 29 with more testimony from the prosecution’s witnesses. The trial is expected to conclude on June 3.