Prosecution Continues Trying to Prove Criminal Gang Activity in 10-Year-Old Murder Case 

By Alesar Harfoush [former] - March 22, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During a March 21 trial, the prosecution called two witnesses who testified regarding a gang-related shooting the defendants allegedly took part in.   

Gregory Taylor, 26, 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 the death of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson. The shooting happened on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.

A former Forensic Scientist testified about pictures and evidence she collected from a shooting in the Potomac Gardens neighborhood back in 2017. 

The witness identified pictures she took of the victim’s face and injuries while she was at George Washington University Hospital.

She also identified every picture she took of the crime scene location, including 39 different bullets and cartridge casings that were collected on sight. 

During cross-examination, Murchison’s defense attorney Carrie Weletz asked the witness if she was the only one who discovered and identified the evidence. The witness said she discovered and identified some of the evidence. 

Weletz continued addressing that the Department of Forensic Science lost its credibility back in 2019 and is now no longer able to conduct any internal testing.

After the prosecution asked the witness to clarify, the witness stated that only a section of the department lost their credibility and it was not the one she worked in. 

A former US Attorney General investigator also testified about the search he conducted on multiple phones that were recovered from the alleged gang members, discussing call history. 

The witness’s testimony is to be continued  after the jury was sent home early because a juror fell ill.  

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 22.