Trial Resumes in Six Codefendant Case

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Trial resumed in a six co-defendant murder and conspiracy case. 

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 Makiyah Wilson. The shooting happened on the 300 block of 53rd Street, NE on July 16, 2018.

The prosecution called several witnesses to discuss incidents that occurred in 2017 and 2018 in connection to the conspiracy charges. 

A Prince George’s County Police Department (PGCPD) sergeant testified about an incident in August of 2017 where Gregory Taylor’s car was searched and guns were confiscated in Maryland. 

The sergeant testified that Taylor was not at the scene when he showed up, but that he did arrive later asking the officers that were searching his car “what’re you doing to my car?” The sergeant stated that Taylor fled the scene after he realized they were searching it, and was not apprehended for the incident until a later date. 

The prosecution also called a former Special Police Officer who worked with the DC Housing Authority in May, 2017. The witness was patrolling at Potomac Gardens when shots were fired on May 1, 2017. The witness testified that they responded to the gunshots and found Carl Hardy crouched behind a car. 

Carl Hardy was allegedly part of a rival gang and endured a retaliation attack in May of 2017, which is being considered as part of the conspiracy charges. Saquan Williams and Quincy Garvin, who are also charged in Makiyah’s murder, were found guilty of Hardy’s murder on July 18, 2022. He passed away in September 2017.

Cross examination for the Special Police Officer is scheduled to resume at the next trial date. 

Trial is set to resume on March 1.

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