Prosecution Says Defendants ‘Hunted, Stalked, and Killed’ Victim in Broad Daylight

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Jurors began deliberations after prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments in a four-year-old homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on April 22 and 23.

Demonte Gibson, 27, and Asani Forte, 27, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and destruction of property for their alleged involvement in the murder of Delonte King, 34, on Nov. 3, 2021, on the 2800 block of 14th Street, NW. Gibson is additionally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Tre’quan Nelson, 25, was severed as a defendant in this case. However, he was mentioned in evidence presented throughout the trial.

The prosecution described the incident as an “assassination” carried out with a “hailstorm of gunfire” after Gibson and Forte “hunted, stalked, and killed” King in broad daylight.

The prosecution’s repeatedly returned to footage previously shown in court of individuals identified as Gibson, Nelson, and Forte gathering outside an apartment complex, leaving in a hurry, then crossing a busy street where King was later shot. Two bullets ultimately killed King, and the prosecutors claim one hit King’s back, from Gibson’s gun, and one was fired by Nelson, who struck the victim’s head.

“Gibson was the quarterback, Forte the coach, and Nelson the wide receiver,” said prosecutors as they replayed the series of events caught on video surveillance.

The jury was reminded of eyewitness testimony and physical evidence, including Gibson allegedly discarding clothes after the shooting, and Forte allegedly retrieving a jacket referred to in court as the “bouncing red ball,” which prosecutors claim is what pinpoints the group in the surveillance footage.

They also cited Gibson’s conflicting police statements, initially claiming he didn’t know King, only to later admit he knew there was someone with the reputation as a “serial stabber” in his neighborhood.

Gibson’s defense attorney, Kevann Gardner, argued his client acted in self-defense, pointing out King’s alleged history of violence and the use of phencyclidine (PCP), citing four people whom he reportedly stabbed and who testified in court.

“Demonte Gibson had nothing else to do but defend himself and Nelson,” Gibson said. Accusing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives assigned to this case of having “tunnel vision,” Gardner claimed investigators latched onto Gibson as a suspect early on, ignoring alternative explanations.

Gardner then went over self-defense laws in DC, which don’t require someone to retreat, especially if they’re confronted by someone with a violent reputation. Thus, the prosecution failed to prove that there was no self-defense.

Gardner also attacked the credibility of an eyewitness account and questioned the motives behind calling Gibson’s mother and Forte’s sister to testify.

Forte’s defense attorney, Susan Ellis, told jurors that prosecutors had failed to tie her client to any direct act of violence. Explaining to the jury, Forte didn’t possess or fire a gun, and was being accused of conspiracy simply because he was seen with friends before and after the incident.

“There was no lookout and no plan,” Ellis said, adding, “Because there was no conspiracy.”

She argued that none of the prosecution’s 35 witnesses could place Forte at the scene of the crime or provide physical evidence connecting him to the shooting.

During the prosecution’s rebuttal on April 23, they embraced the “tunnel vision” criticism, saying it was justified by what the surveillance footage revealed.

“When [the lead detective] and his squad saw the footage, it was clear,” the prosecutor said. “They were walking like men with a purpose.”

The prosecutor presented the videos again, showing the moments as Gibson allegedly reached for something in his waistband, and Nelson on the phone, looking over his shoulder.

The prosecutor said conspiracy doesn’t require a written agreement or even explicit communication, only some version of a shared plan, which she argued is demonstrated through their “concert of actions,” from meetups before and after the shooting.

No further dates were set for the matter as the jury continues deliberations.