Prosecution impeaches witness’ testimony in 2014 murder trial

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The prosecution recently impeached the testimony of James Young’s neighbor during a murder trial.

Young and Tyrone Height have been charged with first-degree murder while armed for shooting Willard Carlos Shelton on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE on Aug. 31, 2014.

Young’s neighbor repeatedly told the prosecution March 19 that she didn’t remember specific events, including Young, 24, and Height, 25, forcing their way into her apartment.

Instead, the neighbor told the jury that she thought of Young as her son and didn’t want him to get into trouble.

According to court documents, the neighbor previously told the grand jury that she told the men she was angry with them for kicking her door in.

Metropolitan Police Department documents stated that a gun was found in the neighbor’s apartment, but the neighbor told the jury that she had no idea it was there. However, the prosecution noted an earlier testimony where the neighbor told the grand jury that she had a conversation with Young about a gun he left in her apartment.

In addition to the neighbor, the prosecution also showed videos of Young speaking with his brother while detained at the D.C. Department of Corrections.

In the videos, Young directed his brother to threaten a potential witness’ boyfriend on Facebook, so the witness would not testify.

The trial is expected to continue on March 20.