Jury Finds Defendants Guilty of Murder

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A jury found two co-defendants guilty of murder in the first homicide trial to come to the DC Superior Court in more than one year.

Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, were charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE, on April 27, 2017.

The jury found Everett guilty of first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, attempted robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, fleeing a law enforcement officer and four counts of obstruction of justice. He was found not guilty of two counts of obstructions of justice.

Hewitt was found guilty of felony murder while armed, conspiracy and attempted robbery while armed. He was found not guilty of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and first-degree murder while armed.

During the trial, the prosecution alleged that the two defendants plotted to rob and kill Heard, who was selling the drug PCP to make money after having recently been released from jail. They alleged that Everett shot Heard, while Hewitt acted as the getaway driver.

The verdict comes after a suspension of jury trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic that lasted more than one year. Former Chief Judge Robert E. Morin suspended jury trials in March. Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring authorized them to resume in April, with safety precautions in place, D.C. Witness previously reported.

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the defendants to be sentenced on Oct. 14.

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