Murder Defendant’s ‘Pride’ Caused 2015 Homicide, Prosecution Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 23, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During opening arguments, a prosecutor said a murder defendant’s “pride” resulted in the death of a 23-year-old man. However, the defense says a witness set their client up to take the fall.

Kenneth Bellamy is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun-related offenses for allegedly shooting Michael Tyrone Jones on the 3500 block of East Capital Street, SE in 2015.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Bellamy, 35, couldn’t get over the fact that Jones stole his marijuana, which the prosector said was in a mason jar. The prosecutor said Bellamy, armed with a .40 caliber pistol, confronted Jones in an apartment building on East Capital Street.

Bellamy’s reputation was at stake, the prosecutor said.

Apparently, during the confrontation, Jones told Bellamy “you aint getting shit back,” referring to the marijuana, and Bellamy opened fire.

However, the defense refuted the prosecution’s theory all the way down to what was in the mason jar. According to defense attorney, Jon Norris, the mason jar was filled with PCP, a mind altering drug. He said Jones was a known drug dealer.

Norris also said one of the prosecution’s witnesses, who identified Bellamy as the shooter, set Jones up to be robbed and murdered. Norris said it was significant that Jones’ body was found in the laundry room because that’s where he was known to conduct drug deals. He also said Jones was bragging earlier in the day that he had PCP for sale.

Norris also told the jury that the witness changed his story multiple times. Apparently, the witness initially denied being at the scene, and then said he heard a “tussle” and fled the scene. Norris said the witness changed his story entirely when the police told him they heard he set Jones up.

Norris said the police coerced the witnesses to give them a name. According to Norris, the police threatened the witness, saying he could go to jail for 40 or more years. The police also told the witness that he wasn’t built for jail. Norris said the the police forced the witness to say “bird” was the shooter.

Bellamy, whose nickname is“bird” was apprehended. However, Norris said the witness sold drugs for another man who also has the nickname “bird.” Norris said the other bird was the true shooter. 

Bellamy was falsely accused. His only tie to the case is his nickname, Norris said.

The trial is scheduled to continue on May 23.