As a high-profile murder trial entered its third month, prosecutors Introduced dozens of Instagram posts and social media messages to convince jurors that the suspects tried to hide their identities using so-called “vanity names,” while communicating their violent intent in code.   Gregory Taylor, 27, Quentin Michals, 25, Qujuan Thomas, 24, Darrise Jeffers, 23, Isiah Murchison, 23 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 drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective leading the investigation walked the jury through the online information in the form of message records, pictures and videos. Read more »

During a trial on April 26, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun ruled on objections the defense and prosecution would have when the jury returned. Read more »

Two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives were shown 12 evidentiary items in court, all of which were taken from Instagram. Read more »

As a six co-defendant murder trial continued on April 20, a firearms and tool-mark expert discussed comparisons between guns that were alleged to be popular in various incidents. Read more »

In an April 19 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun admitted images of a 10-year-old victim’s autopsy into evidence. Read more »

During the trial on April 18, a detective delivered testimony about four separate Instagram videos showing some defendants dancing and singing along to songs just two hours after Makiyah Wilson was declared deceased.  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 the death of 10-year-old Wilson. Read more »

The lead detective in a long-running homicide case connected to the murder of Makiyah Wilson testified on April 13.  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 in relation to a fatal drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of 10-year-old Wilson on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018. Read more »

The credibility of a forensic scientist’s testimony was called into question during an April 12 hearing given her termination from D.C’s Department of Forensic Science. Read more »

Instagram posts from three defendants accused of killing a child were under scrutiny at an April 11 session of an ongoing murder trial. Read more »

During a trial on April 10, the prosecution called a finger print expert who match fingerprints from a car to the murder defendants. Read more »

As a six co-defendant murder trial continues, the testimony focused on arguments about  months of Instagram messages and posts among the defendants. Read more »

As a six co-defendant murder trial continued, witnesses testified on April 5 to other injuries tied to a fatal drive-by shooting. Read more »

Five years after the shooting, a surviving victim testified in front of the jury in a six-co-defendant homicide trial. Read more »

A trial on April 3 was briefly paused in a six co-defendant homicide case to allow for evidence from Instagram to be discussed and litigated. Read more »

The murder trial for six defendants accused in the shooting of a 10-year-old girl continued March 28 after one of the six co-defendants’ release was revoked in a separate hearing, minutes before. Read more »