Murder Co-Defendant’s Request to Sever Denied

By Marissa Stambaugh - September 23, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan in a hearing on Sept. 20. denied Tony Morgan’s request to sever his case from his co- defendant Martinez Raynor prior to a trial on Nov. 12.

Tony Morgan, 29, and Martinez Raynor, 23, are charged with six counts of conspiracy, first degree-murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with the intent to kill while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in a shooting incident on the 3500 Block of Wheeler Road, SE, on Oct. 20, 2018, which resulted in the death of 19-year-old Malik McCloud.

Defense Attorney’s Steven Kiersh and Megan Allburn presented arguments on the behalf of Morgan stating that the firearm evidence that was retrieved from the vehicle used at the crime scene does not provide a strong enough link to Morgan’s being involved. 

That led to a motion for severance.

The prosecution disagreed, saying social media records allegedly show countless interactions between Morgan and Raynor. 

In addition, the prosecution also showed evidence that the vehicle used at the crime scene was allegedly linked to Morgan, as well as his cell phone pinging near the crime scene and vehicle recovery scene. 

Given the arguments Judge Raffinan found that there was not grounds for severance as the evidence against Morgan is not insignificant and that it does indicate a link between Morgan and the crime. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 24. A trial date was set for Nov. 12, 2024.