Jury Finds Co-defendants Guilty in Murder of 17-Year-Old

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 19, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Nine days after counsel in a murder trial delivered closing arguments, a jury unanimously found two co-defendants guilty of a shooting that left one 17-year-old dead and three bystanders wounded. . 

Robert Moses, 24 and James Mayfield, 23, were convicted of first-deree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with intent to kill with an aggrevating cirmcumstace of the victim being vulnerable because of mental or physical infirmity, and aggrivated assault while armed on Dec. 8. 

Moses is also convicted of obstruction of justice.

According to the jury’s verdict form, the murder was not found to be the result of a drive-by shooting.

On Aug. 10, 2017, at around 3:30 p.m. Moses and Mayfield approached the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues NE while armed with .40 and .45 caliber handguns. Collectively, the defendants fired over ten rounds at people standing on Saratoga Avenue. One of these bullets struck 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor in the head as she was driving, killing her. Three other bystanders were struck by the bullets.  

Moses was arrested on Oct. 16, 2017.  He is charged with 13 counts, including first-degree murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill while armed, and aggravated assault while armed on Oct. 26, 2017. 

Mayfield was arrested on Dec. 27, 2017. He is charged with 25 counts, including first-degree murder, assault with the intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, threat to kidnap or injure a person, robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, and attempt to commit robbery while armed. 

Phillip McDaniel, 26, an accomplice who was arrested and charged in 2017 for his involvement in Sydnor’s murder, signed a plea deal to lessen his sentence to second-degree murder. This deal included his agreement to testify against Moses and Mayfield. 

The defendants are set for sentencing on June 9, 2023.