Murder Defendant Requests New Attorney, Remains Held

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A DC Superior Court judge decided to continue holding one of the 11 defendants charged in the fatal drive-by shooting of a ten-year-old girl two years ago.

Antonio Murchison is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of Makiyah Wilson. Wilson was killed on July 18, 2018, on the 300 Block of 53rd Street, NE.

Murchison, 27, is also charged with criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault with knowingly while armed.

The defendant was indicted on these charges in May of 2019.

According to court documents, Murchison’s sentence in a different, federal, case was set to expire on Oct. 13. At that time, the only thing keeping him at the DC Jail would have been cash bonds in this case and another case in which he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. The prosecution filed a motion to continue holding the defendant in his pending murder case.

Judge Ronna Beck granted the request.

She said she could not ensure the safety of the community if he were to be released, citing the current dangerous charges and Murchison’s prior criminal history.

Defense attorney Jason Clark also withdrew from the case, per the defendant’s request.

Murchison will be appointed a new attorney before his next court date, which is scheduled for Jan. 25.

In the murder case, Murchison is being charged with murder along with other defendants, including Quentin Michals, 22; Qujuan Thomas, 21; Gregory Taylor, 25; Mark Tee Price, 26; Marquell Cobbs, 18; Darrise Jeffers, 21; Isaiah Murchison, 22; Saquan Williams, 19; and Quincy Garvin, 20. Quanisha Ramsuer, 27, is charged with obstruction of justice in the girl’s death.

The shooting allegedly resulted from a neighborhood rivalry. All the defendants, in this case, are being held without bond. Isaiah was arrested most recently on Aug. 27 after a bench warrant was put out for his arrest back in May 2019.

Saif Habboub wrote this article

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