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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- April 4, 2017
Court
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Homicides
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Suspects
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After a mistrial last month, the government announced Monday it will move forward with a retrial of Derryck Decuir’s case for the alleged murder of Malek Mercer.
After three days of deliberations last month, the jury could not come to a decision on government’s charges against Decuir for first first-degree murder while armed against a minor, and a possession of a firearm during crime of violence.
During trial the defense argued that Decuir acted in self-defense and requested the jury find him not guilty on all charges.
The jury ultimately found Decuir guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm based on a prior conviction, obstruction of justice, carrying a pistol without a license and tampering with physical evidence.
Decuir is still being held without bond, and a trial readiness hearing is scheduled for December 15. The case is expected to head to trial next February.