Second Trial Slated to Begin Soon for Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 5, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A man charged with the murder of two men is scheduled to appear in trial for a second time. 

Terik McLeod, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting

Devaun Drayton

Devaun Drayton, and with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances for allegedly shooting Cartlton Fisher. The shooting of Drayton, 17, occurred on the 700 block of 26th Street, NE on March 10, 2004. The shooting of Fisher, 23, occurred on October 1, 2006, on the 1100 block of 21st Street, NE.

Carlton Fisher

The first trial for McLeod began on November 5, 2018, and lasted for nearly three weeks. On May 7, after almost two weeks of deliberation, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision about whether McLeod was guilty of the two homicides. Because the jury was hung, a mistrial was declared.

On May 17, the prosecution indicated that they would retry the case, and a jury was selected on July 1 and 2. Trial is scheduled to begin on July 8, 2019. DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck predicted that the trial would be over by July 18. She also estimated that jury deliberations would begin on July 22.           

According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Drayton suffering from a gunshot wound to the head during the evening hours on March 10, 2004. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Fisher was interviewed as a witness within a few weeks of Drayton’s murder. Apparently, he had had a conversation with McLeod a few days after the murder. During their conversation, McLeod asked him if he had any bullets, saying “I had to get him before he get me.” Apparently, McLeod told Fisher that when Drayton turned his back, he shot him in the head. Fisher also positively identified a photo of McLeod.

On October 1, 2006, police officers found Fisher suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Multiple witnesses said they saw McLeod, Fisher, and another individual together right before Fisher’s death.