Witness Forced to Testify in Multi-defendant Murder Case

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A witness was forced to testify after receiving a compulsion order in a March 1 multi-defendant murder trial.

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 a rapper to the stand who had been shot in the leg in an incident on July 9, 2017. The incident was allegedly connected to various gang rivalries or “beefs” associated with this case.

The rapper was served with a compulsion order, forcing him to testify in this trial by the chief judge. The order was delivered after the prosecution had troubles with the witness’s testimony regarding the defendants.

On the stand, the witness said he did not know any of the defendants except Jeffers. He also stated that he did not have any “beef” with Wellington Park, which is the gang the defendants are said to be members of.

The prosecution also called four other witnesses to provide information on incidents that occurred in May, July, and August 2017 as evidence for conspiracy charges.

Witness testimony was pushed back after objections from defense attorneys regarding bodycam footage for an incident in Potomac Gardens in August. 2017, DC Superior Court Judge Okun dismissed the jury so he could review the video in depth.

Judge Okun said he would provide a resolution for this evidence and give parties the opportunity to resolve conflict over the admissibility of other content at the next hearing. Judge Okun said he does not expect to call the jury back until the afternoon.

The trial is scheduled to resume March 6.

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