Prosecution Uses Social Media Posts to Show Defendant Committed Crime

By Amanda Michelson [former] , Dylan Berman [former] - July 19, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During closing statements July 18, the prosecution showed the jury the defendant’s social media posts to prove he committed the crime.  

Torey Stockton, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in a drive-by shooting that killed 23-year-old Jasmine Light and injured three other people on Jan. 17, 2018, on the 1500 block of U Street, SE. 

Stockton is also charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of obstruction of justice. His co-defendant, Kayla Thompson, is also charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly helping Stockton remove evidence. Thompson is currently released on personal recognizance.

During closing statements, the prosecution went through the defendant’s social media posts specifically pointing to the language the defendant used. 

“It went from the virtual world to the real world,” the prosecutor said. 

The prosecution argued that Stockton committed the shooting in retaliation for someone stealing his handgun. The prosecution then showed surveillance footage, from the scene, and social media posts from after the shooting. 

“He is saying he did it,” the prosecutor said. 

The prosecutor asked the jury to “hold [Stockton] accountable for his actions.” 

During closing arguments, Stockton’s defense attorney, Rachel Mccoy, called the evidence, “emotionally inflammatory material.” Mccoy pointed to the alibi provided by Stockton’s grandmother and the possible car from the shooting not being linked to Stockton. 

“There is no physical evidence,” Mccoy said. “There is nothing that connects Mr. Stockton to the shooting.” 

Mccoy further argued that the social media posts do not prove guilt. 

The defense called an associate of Stockton’s grandmother to the stand to corroborate the time of Stockton’s potential alibi. 

According to the witness, Stockton and his grandmother picked her up on Jan. 17, 2018, between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m. Stockton’s defense attorney, Justin Okezie, asked her if she was sure about the dates. 

“I’m 100% sure,” the witness said. 

During cross-examination, the prosecutor emphasized that Stockton and his grandmother were late picking her up. 

Mccoy then read into the record sections of an affidavit from the lead homicide detective on the case. According to the affidavit, the detective was looking into a car which was possibly connected to the shooting. The car was linked to a person with no connections to Stockton. 

The prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department detective to the stand. According to the detective, the MPD was not able to confirm the connection between the car and the shooting. A search of the suspects house and phone provided no evidence in connection with the shooting. 

Thompson’s attorney, Kevin McCants, argued that there is “very little if any evidence that Ms. Thompson broke the law.” 

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled the jury to be read instructions on July 19. Deliberations also began on Tuesday.