Jury Selection for 12 Year Old Murder Case Includes Questions About Drugs

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 23, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During jury selection Jan. 23, a DC Superior Court judge interviewed potential jurors on a case that the prosecution theorized was the result of a drug deal gone bad.

Mason Binion, 32, Victor Carvajal, 33, and Joshua Massaquoi, 32, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged role in the shooting of Michael Francis Taylor, 21, on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW, on June 22, 2008.

The proceeding started with a basic skeleton of questions that probed whether the potential jurors knew any of the defendants, defense attorneys, or prosecutors. Judge Ronna Beck also asked jury candidates if they were going to be able remain impartial if the defendants chose not to testify, invoking their fifth amendment right.

Judge Beck asked if the potential jurors had any dealings or strong feelings towards narcotics specifically marijuana.

The prosecution said Jan. 22, during the trial readiness hearing, that a question about marijuana and narcotics was needed. According to the prosecution, the question aligned with a theory that Taylor’s death came as a result of him not being able to secure a few pounds of marijuana for Binion, Carjaval and Massaquoi, despite having allegedly turned money over to sellers.

Ultimately, 16 jurors were selected with four alternates. Two of which were dismissed today and told they would be called in case of emergency. Two others will be dismissed after closing arguments are made.

All the alternates were randomly selected by number before being selected for the trial.

Opening statements are scheduled to begin on Jan. 27.

Jaylin Hawkins wrote this story