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Closing Arguments Begin in Three-Month Long Homicide Trial 

On May 16, prosecutors in a child homicide and conspiracy trial began their closing arguments following an emotional three months in court. 

Gregory Taylor, 27, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 22, and Marquell Cobbs, 21, are six of 10 defendants charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, and other charges regarding a fatal drive-by shooting that resulted in 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson’s death. The shooting happened on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018. 

Following technical issues that delayed closing arguments, prosecutors were able to make their case to the jury.

“Twenty seconds, fifty gunshots, four gunmen, and one driver,” prosecutors said, is all it took for a neighborhood to be changed forever. 

According to court documents, the attack on the Clay Terrace community was in retaliation for  various shootings and incidents that occurred between that contingent and those in the Wellington Park neighborhood, which began in 2017. 

The defendants would allegedly discuss the shootings with their co-defendants and friends who  participated through social media, and would share videos that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) created and posted on Youtube seeking the public’s assistance with the investigations into the incidents.

The mode of operation for every shooting was the same, according to prosecutors. The suspects would arm themselves, get in a car with a designated driver, show up in a rival neighborhood, get out, fire several gunshots into a courtyard or common area, and speed away from the crime scene. This pattern occurred many times between 2017 and 2018, prosecutors say. 

The group would then take to social media to brag about their actions and show rival gangs that they were proud of their actions, prosecutors said. 

At some point in December 2017, Michals was shot at a club after having a disagreement with a woman from the Clay Terrace neighborhood, who sent various Clay Terrace men to Michals to get him to leave her alone. 

Prosecutors stated that defendant Isaiah Murchison, his older brother Antonio, Thomas, and Taylor all got into a car driven by Mark Price and went to Clay Terrace, where they injured four and killed Makiyah. 

According to prosecutors, Michals had been shot in two different incidents within six months before the July 16, 2018 attack, which is  why he was not one of the individuals in the car on the day of the shooting. 

“He couldn’t run due to his leg injuries,” prosecutors said. So, he waited at the Wellington Park neighborhood for his associates to return from their retaliation, after he helped them arm themselves with weapons and acquire the black Infiniti sedan used in the attack. 

“[Makiyah’s sister’s] arm wound healed, but the loss of her sister is still with her,” prosecutors said. 

According to prosecutors, the six defendants are not just being charged for the attack on July 16, 2018 that destroyed Makiyah’s heart, but are also being charged for actions leading up to the attack, which included purchasing stolen vehicles, planning shootings of rival gang members, and purchasing an arsenal of guns and ammunition, among others. 

Prosecutors are expected to continue their closing arguments on May 17.

Judge Sanctions Prosecutors for ‘Gross Negligence’ by Withholding Murder Case Evidence

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan harshly criticized prosecutors for failing to turn over hours of CCTV surveillance footage that could prove Lewkus Turner innocent of a murder charge.

Turner, 29, is accused of second-degree murder for allegedly shooting 26-year-old Vincent Gyamfi on Dec. 11, 2020, on the 2900 block of S Street, SE.

Stopping short of saying prosecutors acted in bad faith, Judge Raffinan, in a May 16 hearing, said they showed “gross negligence” in handling police video taken at the crime scene.  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) held onto the material for nearly three years in an apparent accounting error.  The evidence was just turned over to the defense as jury selection in the case got underway.

Judge Raffnan’s finding followed a defense motion filed on May 9 asking the court to dismiss the case with prejudice and release Turner because of alleged prosecutorial misconduct.  While she rejected that request, Judge Raffinan said she would instruct the jury about the prosecution’s obligations in terms of providing evidence and give the late disclosure issue “the weight it deserves.”   

During the hearing, which lasted nearly two hours, Judge Raffinan cited a number of cases to back up her point that prosecutors repeatedly broke the rules by not giving Turner’s defense lawyers information that could exonerate their client. 

Of particular concern was a clip that showed part of an ongoing argument between Turner and Gyamfi who was killed in the incident.  At one point Judge Raffinan said she “couldn’t rule out” the defense notion that Gyamfi pulled Turner out of his white SUV on the 2900 block of Q Street, SE and that his actions were in self-defense.  

While Judge Raffinan said what prosecutors did was “troubling” it didn’t amount to willful misconduct.  She told both parties to craft language to instruct the jury about how they should regard the newly disclosed evidence.  

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for May 19 at noon.

Routine Hearing Turns into Melee as Defendant Claims Brutality

Dominic Copeland  had to be physically restrained and forcibly removed from the courtroom in what was scheduled as a routine hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on May 16.

Copeland, 32, is charged with assault with intent to kill in one case and assault with a dangerous weapon in another. He allegedly shot at a moving car at the intersection of 1st Street and N Street, NW, on April 26, 2019. 

Earlier that same day, he allegedly stabbed a victim eight times in an apartment building on the 100 block of Q Street, NW. 

The problems started the minute Copeland entered the courtroom and refused to sit down.  When Judge Raffinan asked Copeland to state his name, he declined.  When she persisted, Copeland shouted that he hadn’t seen his lawyer, Michael Madden, who was viewing the proceedings remotely.  Copeland continued struggling against US Marshals who were holding him on both sides.  

“This is brutality!,” he yelled and said as a U.S. citizen he demanded his rights.  

“We’re not going to yell at each other,” Judge Raffinan responded, encouraging Copeland to strike a less confrontational posture.  However, it was to no avail and Copeland continued to resist.  Ultimately, four more US Marshals rushed into the courtroom, subduing the defendant and returning him to his cell. 

Madden assured Judge Raffinan that he would have a meeting with Copeland prior to his next court appearance. 

Meanwhile, a motion hearing to sever Copeland’s matters from Artie Byrd, 31, who is charged as an accessory, is set for July 10 at 10:30 a.m.

A trial readiness hearing for Copeland is scheduled for Aug. 18 at 10:30 a.m.

Youth Shooter Given Maximum Sentence After Escaping Custody

A teenager,who confessed to taking part in the shooting of a Washington Commanders’ football player, was sentenced to the maximum commitment for his crimes in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on May 15. 

According to prosecutors, the youth had already pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly  weapon and carrying a pistol without a license in an attempted carjacking.  The carjacking resulted in the shooting of Washington Commanders’ running back Brian Robinson on Aug. 28, 2022.   

“You could have ended his life…and a promising career,” said the prosecutor,

During the 25-minute hearing before Judge Solerno the youth, who was present in court, quietly acknowledged that he would remain in the custody of District social services until age 21 and that he waived his right to a trial.

Judge Salerno said that the youth had committed a very serious offense and made his situation worse by absconding from custody and failing to show up for a sentencing hearing on April 5.  “You showed poor judgment,” said Judge Salerno.  When the youth was finally arrested on April 19, prosecutors said he had illegal drugs in his possession.

The prosecution had originally recommended the youth be committed until he reached age twenty.  However, Judge Salero tacked on the extra year with the proviso that the last year would be unrestricted with the option of returning  to “wrap around services” if warranted.

In the meantime, a representative from the DC Department of Youth and Corrective Services said she was “very disappointed” that the youth had failed to comply with his confinement terms.  

Going forward, he will have an initial 16 months of supervised care focusing on anger management at a psychiatric residential treatment facility.

“Make the most of your time,” said the Judge as the hearing concluded.  

Technical Difficulties Delay Closing Arguments in Multi-Defendant Homicide Trial

On May 15, prosecutors in a six defendant homicide trial were unable to begin closing arguments due to technical difficulties. 

Gregory Taylor, 27, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isaiah Murchison, 22, and Marquell Cobbs, 21, are six of 10 defendants charged with first-degree murder, criminal street gang affiliation, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, and other charges regarding a fatal drive-by shooting that resulted in 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson’s death.

The shooting happened on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018. 

Prosecutors alerted the court they lost access to their closing arguments presentation due to technical issues, and that their information technology team was struggling to find a way to regain access to the lost documents.

Nonetheless, defense attorneys for Murchison, Cobbs, Thomas, and Jeffers rested their cases choosing not to make specific presentations to the jury. All six defendants exercised their right to not testify in trial. 

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun gave the jury instructions for deliberation after the defense lawyers resting their case.

During jury instructions, Judge Okun reminded them that it is their responsibility to decide what the facts of the case are and whether each defendant is responsible for the charges brought against them. 

“The verdict in this case is your sole responsibility,” he said. 

He also reminded jurors, if they find that the prosecutors have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants committed the offenses, it is their duty to find them guilty. However he stated if the prosecutors failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the defendants had committed the offenses, it is also their duty to find them innocent. 

Regarding evidence, Judge Okun said, jurors are only allowed to hold defendants accountable for what each said. Several pieces of evidence were directed against individual defendants, but those that were specifically directed against just one of them need to be considered only against that individual. 

Judge Okun also told jurors all the defendants maintain their innocence, denying any participation in any of the incidents for which they’re charged.

Parties are expected back May 16 when the prosecution is expected to be prepared to make its closing argument.

Document: Suspects and Vehicle Sought in Armed Robbery, Armed Carjacking, and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offenses

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspects and a vehicle in connection to a non-fatal shooting and two armed robberies that occurred on May 14.

The shooting occurred on the 1800 block of 14th Street, NW. The victim received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital.

The robberies occurred on the 1300 block of V Street, NW, and on the 1700 block of 11th Street, NW.

Document: Updated Vehicle of Interest Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offenses in the Sixth District and Seventh Districts

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect vehicle that was involved in three non-fatal shootings on May 12, which left three individuals, two adult males and one juvenile male, enduring non-life-threatening wounds.

According to MPD, the first shooting occurred on the 600 block of 46th Street, SE. The second shooting happened less than ten minutes later on the 3800 block of Jay Street, NE. The third shooting occurred less than twenty minutes later on the 1900 block of 15th Street, SE.

Document: Homicide: 1300 Block of V Street, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on May 13, on the 1300 block of V Street, NW.

The decedent was identified as 29-year-old Calvin Gray.

Document: Homicide: 900 Block of Varney Street, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation for a homicide that occurred on May 12, on the 900 block of Varney Street, SE.

The decedent was identified as 23-year-old Romello Hammond.