Judge Modifies Protective Order in Murder Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 21, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During a status hearing/felony arraignment  on June 20, a DC Superior Court judge changed a modification provision of a protective order despite objections from one of the defense attorneys.

Quentin Michals, 21, Qujuan Thomas, 20, Quincy Garvin, 19, Gregory Taylor, 23, Mark Tee Price, 24, Marquell Cobbs, 17, Darrise Jeffers, 19, Antonio Murchison, 26, Isaiah Murchison, 19, and Saquan Williams, 17, are all charged with first-degree murder, plus additional charges, for allegedly shooting 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson. The shooting occurred on July 16, 2018, on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE.

Jeffers’ attorney, Veronice A. Holt, said she was concerned about the modification of provisions in the order but didn’t specify what the provisions said.

Despite concerns, Judge Ronna Lee Beck said she would change the modification provision to read that the order could be modified with the permission of the court. Holt is expected to file a statement by June 29 about whether she agrees to the protective order as modified.

Judge Beck also denied the motion to sever 10 of the 11 defendants charged in the murder. Quanisha Ramsuer’s case was severed from the other defendants. She has been charged with obstruction of justice in relation to the murder. Ramsuer, 26, is released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

She is scheduled for trial scheduled on Feb. 3, 2020.

According to a press release, during the evening hours, four masked males exited a black vehicle and began shooting. Makiyah was playing in an area near Marvin Gaye Park and KIPP DC Quest Academy Public Charter School. She and several other adults were shot. The shooting is believed to have been spurred by a neighborhood rivalry. 

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department officers found Makiyah unconscious and not breathing, suffering from a gunshot wound to the body. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

All ten suspects are scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 1.