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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- April 4, 2018
Court
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Merikas said Minor, who was 24 at the time, shot Lee, 28, because he was “agitated” and had a “bruised ego.” Lee died on the 1200 block of Stevens Road, SE on Dec. 24, 2014.
The men previously got into an argument at a neighborhood event honoring Minor’s brother, who had died.
Merikas said that Minor and Maurice Blakey, 26, were the aggressors in a neighborhood alley on the night of the altercation. Minor allegedly shot Lee with a handgun, while Blakey allegedly shot at Lee’s friend with a shotgun. The friend fled the scene without any injuries.
Blakey is currently serving an unrelated 22-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for the homicide of Timothy Spicer in 2007. As part of a plea deal, Blakey’s charges for Lee’s homicide were dismissed.
The prosecution said DNA evidence and witness testimony will leave the jury with no choice but to find Minor guilty.
Merikas also said the prosecution plans to call one of Minor’s cellmates who would testify that Minor admitted to the murder. “This is a case where you’re going to have to rely on people,” she said.
Additionally, both Minor’s grandmother and girlfriend, who both lived in the neighborhood, said they heard five gunshots on the night Minor died, but did not actually witness the shooting.
Minor’s defense attorney, Archie Nichols, said he will not present his opening statement until the defense begins their case.
The trial is expected to resume on April 4.