Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty After Murder Indictment for Shooting that Killed 10-year-old Girl

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A co-defendant in a murder case pleaded not-guilty after being officially indicted in court on July 12.

Antonio Murchison is charged with first-degree murder while armed in a drive-by or random shooting whee the victim was especially vulnerable due to age or physical infirmity, assault with intent to kill, conspiracy, possession of a firearm, criminal street gang affiliation and aggravated assault for allegedly shooting 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE.

During a felony arraignment, Murchison was officially indicted for his charges. His defense attorney, Jason Clark, told the court that the defendant pleaded not-guilty to all counts and requested discovery from the prosecution.

According to a previous report, Murchison, 19, is joined by 9 other co-defendants for their alleged involvement in the drive-by shooting between a park and a public charter school.

Even though there are typically no cash bonds in the Washington, DC judicial system, the prosecution requested one be set for Murchison. DC Superior Court Judge Ronna L. Beck placed a $10,000 cash bond on the defendant. The prosecutor said she only placed the bond so he would remain in DC, rather than returning to prison, where he is currently serving time.

The defendant is set to stand trial in January of 2021 with three other co-defendants, including Marquell Cobbs, Darrise Jeffers, and Isaiah Murchison. Judge Beck previously separated the defendants into two groups for separate trials.

Quentin Michals, Qujuan Thomas, Quincy Garvin, 19; Gregory Taylor, 23; Mark Tee Price, 24; Cobbs, 17; Jeffers, 19;  Antonio, 26; Isiah,19 and Saquan Williams, 17, are scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 1.

Jeffers’ pretrial show cause hearing is scheduled to resume on July 26.

All of the defendants except for Quanisha Ramsuer, 26, who is being charged with obstruction of justice in connection to the homicide are being held without bail. Ransuer’s case was separated from the other defendants.

She is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Jan. 17, 2020.

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