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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- April 10, 2018
Court
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Homicides
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Suspects
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A former cellmate of Joseph Minor admitted during cross-examination April 9 that his only motivation in testifying was to reduce his potential prison sentence.
The cellmate previously said Minor, 27, admitted in jail that he planned to shoot and kill Gregory Lee with his friend, Maurice Blakey, on Christmas Eve. The cellmate said he was told that if he told the truth, the prosecution would recommend a shorter sentence for his second-degree murder while armed conviction from an unrelated homicide. Minor and his former cellmate shared the same cell for approximately three months.
Minor’s attorney, Archie Nichols, presented letters the cellmate wrote to a friend while in jail where he said he was hoping to enter the witness protection program and receive a new identification if he testified truthfully. The cellmate also worked with prosecutors in five other cases in attempts to reduce his sentence.
The prosecution said the cellmate’s account of the homicide was accurate despite not being shown any evidence, which shows his truthfulness. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Bruckmann said that although the cellmate cooperated in other investigations, Minor’s trial has been the only one he has testified in.
According to Bruckmann, the cellmate’s letters showed his remorse and desire to change his life. Additionally, Bruckmann said the cellmate has no reason to lie because the prosecution told him they would recommend imposing the maximum sentence of 40 years if he did.
Minor has been charged with second-degree murder while armed for shooting Lee, 28, on the 1200 block of Stevens Road, SE on Dec. 24, 2014.
The trial is expected to continue on April 10.