Witness Identifies Murder Defendant as Shooter

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 10, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During a murder trial July 9, an eyewitness identified the defendant as the shooter in a 2004 homicide.

Carlton Fisher

Terik McLeod, 33, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Devaun Drayton and with first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances for allegedly shooting Carlton 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. McLeod’s first trial resulted in a hung jury.

Devaun Drayton

The prosecution began by questioning a former friend of McLeod, who was present at the time of Drayton’s murder. The witness is currently being detained at DC Jail for an unrelated murder case. 

The witness agreed to provide information about the case to the prosecution as part of a plea deal. In exchange for his cooperation, the witness said, the prosecution will “speak up for him” during his sentencing and hopefully negotiate a shorter sentence.

The witness said he was good friends with McLeod and Drayton in 2004. Apparently, he knew Drayton through a mutual friend. The witness also said he was friends with Fisher, although the two weren’t close.

According to the witness, Drayton needed a gun because he was in a conflict with people from another neighborhood. Apparently, Drayton was given the gun under the condition that he would give it back the next day. 

However, Drayton denied having the gun. The witness said Drayton broke a “street code” that includes not taking other people’s belongings.

On the morning of the murder, the witness said, he was walking to school with a group of friends, including Drayton and McLeod.

Once behind the Phelps Architecture, Construction, and Engineering High School located in Northeast, DC, the witness said he heard a gunshot. He said he saw McLeod holding a gun, but did not see him shoot Drayton.  

There is “no doubt in my mind” that McLeod killed Drayton, the witness said. 

The trial is scheduled to continue on July 10.