Witness to Murder of 15 Year old Testifies During Trial

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 31, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A trial for a murder defendant resumed with testimony from a witness.

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

During an Oct. 28 trial proceeding, the prosecution summoned a witness to testify who resided at the apartment complex in which the shooting occurred. The man was also acquainted with the victim because Watson and the witness’s stepson were cousins. 

Watson often visited the witness’s residence to play video games with his cousin on several occasions. 

At the trial, the prosecution called the witness to the stand to inquire about Holston, asking him to recall details from the incident.

The witness remembered the clothing the two men at the scene wore. He asserted that Holston wore an all-black outfit with a face mask, while the other man, whom he was unable to identify, wore an all-green outfit with a green face mask

He claimed to have known who Holston was because he “lived in the neighborhood.”

Holston’s defense attorney, Matthew Wilson, cross-examined the witness, inquiring about the hand Holston used to hold the gun. The witness said he held the gun in his right hand.

When referencing the transcript from the grand jury trial nearly two years earlier, the witness stated that Holston had carried the gun in his left hand, deviating from his testimony during Friday’s proceeding.

In response, the prosecution played video footage from his interview with detectives after the incident to jog his memory. The witness still could not remember certain details from the scene.

Neither the prosecution nor the defense had any additional questions for the witness.

After a long break, DC Superior Court Judge Brandt and the attorneys discussed the implementation of jury instructions as standards recently changed.

Parties are expected to return to court on Oct. 31 to resume trial-related matters.