Prosecution plans to retry Decuir for 15-year-old’s homicide

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 10, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects | Uncategorized |

Prosecutors recently told Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe that they plan to retry Derryck Decuir for first-degree murder while armed against a minor and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence after a second jury declared a mistrial in March.

The third trial against Decuir for the shooting of 15-year-old Malek Mercer is expected to be held on April 29, 2019.  To monitor the status of both the prosecution and the defense’s cases before the trial, the court scheduled a status hearing on Oct. 12.

The court also convicted and plans to sentence Decuir on unlawful possession of a firearm — prior conviction, carrying a pistol without a license, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence.

Decuir allegedly shot Mercer in the neck on the 2800 block of 28th Street, SE on June 16, 2015. Mercer died at an area hospital on June 19, 2015 — days before his 16th birthday.

Even though Decuir told the jury that he shot Mercer in self defense after the teen wielded a shotgun at him, the validity of his statement was questioned by the prosecution. According to the prosecution, and corroborated by the defendant, Decuir did not help Mercer after the shooting or call for help.

Both the prosecution and the defense say that Mercer had a shotgun, however, the weapon has not been found.

Who was Malek Mercer?

Mercer, a sophomore at Ballou High School, located in Southeast D.C., was a bright student who worked hard in school, according to his mother, Sharon Becks. He was slated to begin the city’s youth employment program in the summer of 2015.

Becks said her son dreamed of becoming a social worker or psychiatrist to help children.

She said the memory of her son stays with her. “He’s on my mind a lot. I dream about him a lot,” she told D.C. Witness.

Becks said Mercer was always fashionable. According to the prosecution, a red Versace belt Mercer was wearing could have been a motive for his death.

Becks said she wants to help reduce gun violence amongst teens and young adults. She said she created a fundraiser — Change for Malek — to raise money and awareness to gun violence. Becks said she wants to use the money to start a foundation that looks at the cause of gun violence and works to make a difference in preventing it.