Juror Calls-in Sick and Delays Trial

By Aerial Lopez [former] - March 13, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During a March 9 jury trial, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun informed the court that his office received a note from a juror that would prohibit witness testimony.

Gregory Taylor, 27, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 23, 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, Makiyah Wilson. The shooting happened on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.

According to Judge Okun, the juror sent a message just minutes before and said they fell ill at the bus stop and would not be able to make their way to court.

The judge’s clerk attempted multiple times to contact the juror via phone call, text message, and email, but there was no response. 

Due to the absence of the juror, Judge Okun ruled that witness testimony would not proceed and the jury was to be excused for the day. 

So as to not let the day go to waste, legal parties were allowed to discuss pressing preliminary matters. All parties partook in hours worth of debate regarding the introduction of various evidentiary items. 

The items in question included photos collected from different associated Instagram accounts, more than six videos from related events, and other recorded conversations that occurred over social media. 

Defense attorneys took turns objecting to the inclusion of particular exhibits and argued that their prospective client wasn’t involved in the alleged conspiracies held over social media.

Regardless of their objections to the matter, Judge Okun admitted much of the evidence with few redacted edits.  This evidence will be entered into the prosecution’s exhibits and used during witness testimony once it resumes. 

The jury reconvened for trial on March 13 at 10:30 a.m.