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By
Rachel Benck [former]
- April 20, 2023
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Juveniles
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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In an April 19 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun admitted images of a 10-year-old victim’s autopsy into evidence.
Gregory Taylor, 26, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 22, 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.
Images of Wilson’s injuries taken by the deputy chief medical examiner during the autopsy were used as evidence in her testimony.
After the jury was dismissed for the day, Jeffers’ attorneys, Philip Andionian and Joseph Caleb, told the court that Johnathan Zucker, Taylor’s attorney, observed emotional reactions from some jurors when they saw the images of Wilson’s injuries.
Andionian and Caleb told the court they are considering filing a motion to question the witnesses who displayed noticeable emotional reactions to ensure they are still capable of being impartial during deliberations.
Based on the autopsy she conducted, the examiner said that the cause of death was a gunshot wound and the manner was homicide.
The trial was scheduled to continue on April 20.