Witness Testifies About Incriminating Details in Murder Trial

By Grace Raines [former] - October 11, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

After a witness’s testimony detailed text message statements incriminating the defendant during a homicide trial, a judge made her ruling on two motions from a two-day motion hearing.

Malik Holston, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the death of 15-year-old Gerald Watson. The incident occurred on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE on Dec. 13, 2018. 

Watson was found inside of a building. He had sustained 17 gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead soon after. A witness saw two gunmen, one of whom went by the name “Malik,” according to court documents. 

On Oct. 7, Judge Rainey Brandt denied the defense’s motion to suppress and granted the prosecution’s motion.

During the hearing on Oct. 6, a witness testified that her deceased friend, Steffen Brathwaite, told her about his and Malik’s involvement in Watson’s death. “Me and my mans caught an op,” the witness said Braithwaite told her through a text message thread. She described “an op” as a rival and his “mans” as the defendant.

Another text said, “the feds be on me and my man’s ass” after Holston’s arrest.

Defense attorney, Sean Sukumar, said the evidence was vague as Brathwaite gave few details about the incident. 

The witness asserts that, in video footage showing an individual and Holston chasing Watson into an apartment complex, Brathwaite identified himself. 

The information is considered credible by the prosecution because Brathwaite didn’t use it to gain “clout” or notoriety. He also pushed for Holston’s release while not placing all the burden on him.

Another motion from the prosecution is slated for a ruling at the trial readiness hearing set for Oct. 13.

The trial is scheduled for Oct. 24.