‘You Got the Wrong Guy,’ Defense Says About An Accident Leading to a Shooting

By Maggie Rhoads [former] - August 21, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein heard opening arguments and testimony for a case involving a car accident and a subsequent shooting in a hearing on Aug. 20. 

Marquez Beasley, 32, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident where a suspect fired four shots on Aug. 16, 2023, on the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, the incident occurred after an individual, identified as Beasley, got into a car accident with the victims where two individuals sustained injuries. 

Beasley allegedly attacked two passengers in the car and one bystander, says the prosecution. He allegedly hit one passenger over the head with his gun, shot one passenger in the thigh and shot the bystander in the right knee.  

During their opening statements, the prosecution mentioned that traffic accidents are “not unusual” and the normal expectation is people exchange information. Instead, the prosecution said while physically pointing at Beasley, he decided to attack others.

They said the victims attempted to share their insurance information with Beasley by having him talk to their mother since she owned the car they were driving. The prosecution said Beasley was “already angry” and decided to toss one of the victim’s phones on the ground and attack others. 

However, John Machado, Beasley’s defense attorney, claimed there were complications in the identification of the suspect. According to Machado, one witness described the suspect as short, another said he had a “tattoo” in the middle of his forehead. Machado described his client as tall with facial tattoos but none on his forehead. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, you got the wrong guy,” Machado told the jury. 

Machado also said the victim who was driving the car did not have his license and was the one who caused the accident. He claimed the victim sitting in the back seat, who had her license, was supposed to be the one driving. 

He concluded his opening arguments stating there was no gun found at the scene and requested the jury to “keep an open mind.” 

Following opening statements, the prosecution called on an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who testified they rendered aid to the bystander who had been shot in the knee. She deemed the victim’s injury “critical.”

During the defense’s cross-examination, Machado played the witness’ body-worn camera footage for the jury, which showed the officer questioning the victim about the shooting. According to the witness, the bystander told them they were about half a block away from the car accident when the suspect shot them. 

The witness also said she did not find any shell casings on the scene. Machado said this is despite the witness previously saying she “prides” herself on being able to find shell casings. 

Parties are set to reconvene Aug. 21 to continue trial.