Prosecution Rests Case in Six Defendant Homicide Trial of 10-year-old Victim

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After three months in trial, prosecutors concluded their arguments on May 3 in a homicide and conspiracy case putting the emphasis on electronic evidence.

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

A detective for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) homicide branch testified about the results of his investigation into Wilson’s murder including an analysis of the defendants’ phone records.

According to court documents, defendants sent various text messages asking others for guns and ammunition in the weeks leading up to the shooting. One of them even inquired about vehicles and drivers that they needed for a day.

According to the detective, Michals received a message from a contact saved as “Clo” stating “lil man got wheels you can use,” days before the shooting.

Following the detective’s testimony, the government alerted the court they had no more evidence to present and were resting their case.

All parties are expected back in court on May 8 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, as the defense opens its case.

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