Witness in Homicide Trial Admits to Lying to Detectives

By Rachel Benck [former] - March 17, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

The defense in a homicide trial continued their cross-examination of a witness who stole the vehicle allegedly used in a drive-by shooting that killed a 10-year-old girl.

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.

In a March 16 hearing, the witness admitted to lying to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives when questioned about carjacking the vehicle allegedly used in the drive-by.

The witness’s initial testimony during the prosecution’s direct examination on March 14 was that he “plead the 5th” and didn’t answer the detective’s questions during his interviews. However,  using transcripts of the witness’s MPD interviews and Grand Jury testimony, the defense counsel refreshed the witness’s memory several times during the hearing.

Through his cross-examination, Jonathan Zucker, defense attorney for Taylor, revealed that the witness had answered questions about the carjacking by denying the detective’s accusations and lying repeatedly. He claimed to have no connection to stealing or selling the car, Zucker said.

According to the interview transcript, the detectives told the witness that police found his fingerprints and DNA in the car. The victim of the carjacking also identified the witness as the man who assaulted her and stole her car.

The witness said he couldn’t recall if the detectives had outright accused him of being involved with Wilson’s murder. However, detectives did ask that if he had done it, wouldn’t he want to push the blame off on someone else?

He responded, “Well wouldn’t you?”

The defense is scheduled to continue their cross-examination on March 20, when the trial is slated to continue.