Inmate Says Defendant Was Not Present Prior to Shooting

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 12, 2018
Daily Stories | Homicides | Post Disposition | Suspects |

During a post-disposition hearing for a murder defendant, an inmate said the defendant was not with the armed individual prior to a 2011 shooting.

Darrel Hendy

In 2011, Chamontae Walker was sentenced to 40 years for the first-degree murder of Darrel Hendy. Hendy, 29, was shot and killed on the 800 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

Two other men involved in Hendy’s death, Meeko Carraway and Corey Yates, were also sentenced to 25 years and 36 years in prison, respectively. Carraway was convicted of first-degree murder, while Yates was convicted of second-degree murder while armed and acting as an accessory after the fact.

During the hearing, the defense questioned an inmate who is serving an eight year sentence for an unrelated robbery conviction. The defense apparently called the witness to prove that Walker, 43, did not participate in Hendy’s murder.

According to the inmate, he saw a shirtless man pull out a gun. However, the inmate said he did not see the shooting because he fled after seeing the gun. Even though he did not see the shooting, the inmate said he did not see Walker with the armed individual.

During cross-examination, when the prosecution questioned the inmate about why he took so long to come forward, the inmate said he did not want to come forward because he still lives near the location of the shooting.

According to the prosecution, Walker, Carraway and Yates entered an apartment building where Walker gave Carraway a gun. Shortly after, the three men left, and Carraway shot Hendy. Court documents state that witnesses told police that Carraway and Hendy were arguing in the street shortly before the victim was shot.

The defense said the verdict could have been much different if the jury heard the inmate’s testimony. The prosecution, however, said that the jury should not be the standard for granting the defendant another trial.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Thomas Motley has not ruled whether or not he will grant Walker a second trial. Another hearing is scheduled on Feb. 20, 2019.

Shams Sohani contributed to this article.