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By
Alex Garcia Pecina
- November 14, 2024
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Victims
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During the first day of trial, the prosecution called multiple witnesses to present evidence they say links the defendant to a gang-related homicide before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, on Nov. 13.
Tony Morgan, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and conspiracy. The changes stem from his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE, on Oct. 20, 2018, which resulted in the death of 19-year-old Malik McCloud.
Martinez Raynor, 26, is also charged in connection to McCloud’s death. Judge Raffinan had granted a request to sever the cases, allowing them to be tried separately.
The parties began with opening statements.
The prosecution explained how Morgan and Raynor got in a stolen vehicle, armed themselves, hid their identity with ski masks, and went into “enemy territory” allegedly to kill McCloud. They showed video footage from the incident, where one could see the car pulling up and the shooting. Then, they explained Morgan’s alleged affiliation with, “Solid Gang,” and that the motive behind the shooting was linked to gang rivalry.
Megan Allburn, Morgan’s attorney, opened by saying that Morgan was not on trial for what he had done, but he was on trial for the people he is friends with. She explained how the prosecution was going to use the “Solid Gang” implication to create fear, but that it was merely a rapper name. Allburn told the jury that the prosecution would not present any DNA evidence of Morgan on the car or on the firearm used in the shooting.
The prosecution called McCloud’s mother to the stand where she became emotional.
She testified to his character as her child. She explained that he was a, “big boy,” but a, “gentle giant,” and that he was not the type of person to walk around the street with bad intentions. At some point, she started stuttering and began to cry before she said, “He didn’t deserve that… he didn’t deserve that.”
The prosecution called a responding officer to testify about his investigation.
He received a call for a shooting next to the Holiday Liquor Store. When the officer arrived, he went straight to McCloud who was lying unconscious on the floor. A later investigation found shell casings around the floor and he noted nearby surveillance cameras.
The prosecution also called a witness who saw a suspect believed to be Raynor.
The witness lived two blocks away from the liquor store and he testified that he heard the gunshots but continued to watch television in his home. After some time, he saw a figure walking across his front porch. When he went to investigate, he saw a person in dark clothing and a ski mask holding a firearm.
When the person noticed the witness, he told him to “go back in the house,” and, “don’t call the cops.” The witness complied, but could hear the suspect communicating with someone outside the home.
The prosecution called another eyewitness to the incident, a friend of McCloud to testify who had been forcefully brought in after not answering a subpoena.
He explained that he knew McCloud and was outside when he was killed. He saw a person exit a vehicle with a ski mask and shoot McCloud. According to grand jury transcripts from 2019, he did not see who shot McCloud.
Parties are slated to reconvene with additional testimony on Nov. 14.