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By Carmen Quinteros (former), Hope Hamerslough, Sonia Vazquez, Jacob Quill – June 4, 2024
Daily stories | Homicides | Shot | Suspects | Victims |
Prosecutors presented their closing arguments before D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on June 4, leading to a mistrial motion in a conspiracy to murder case.
Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 33, are three of five people charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, first-degree murder while armed , carrying a gun without a weapon. license and possession of a firearm during a violent crime in connection with the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020, in the 600 block of S Street, NW. The shooting also left a second juvenile victim located nearby with an apparent gunshot wound to his right leg.
The case also involves alleged co-conspirators Reginald Steele, 24, and Aaron Brown, 27.
“Do guns kill or do people kill?” the prosecutor asked the jury as they began their closing arguments. According to the prosecution, over the course of eight days one victim was murdered, 10 more assaulted, seven cars damaged and four communities terrorized by the use of three unregistered firearms by the defendants.
“Three firearms spread terror in the DC community,” the prosecutor’s office added.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors have attempted to connect Jackson, Freeman and Nelson to additional shootings that occurred on February 22, 2020 in the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW; February 24, 2020 in the 1700 block of 9th Street, NW, and a second shooting on March 1, 2020 on Channing Street, NE. Prosecutors allege a firearms conspiracy by the defendants, in which they sought to obtain and use specific weapons in all of the shootings.
The prosecution described all of the incidents in detail, referencing text messages, cell searches, security footage, and MPD body camera footage to contextualize the order of events and corroborate witness statements. . Much of the prosecution’s closing statement revolved around proving a planned conspiracy.
Prosecutors allege that the reason for Lukes’ death was due to “rap meat.” They believe the dispute between two groups from different D.C. neighborhoods over who the real “Northwest Goon” rapper was culminated in the death of rapper and close friend of the three co-defendants, 19-year-old Tahlil Byrd.
Lukes had appeared in a music video made by “Slimegoon9”, who was supposedly Byrd’s rival. Lukes’ cousin also appeared in the music video and was a victim of the February 24, 2020 shooting.
The prosecutor, speaking about Luke’s death, said: “He tried to run, he couldn’t hide,” after receiving a gunshot wound to the back.
The prosecutor highlighted Nelson and Freeman’s criminal records, stating that they are “convicted felons” for firearms crimes, prompting Andrew Ain, Freeman’s defense attorney, to request a mistrial. Defense attorneys for Jackson and Nelson also joined Ain’s motion seeking a mistrial.
Judge Brandt will rule on the matter during the next court hearing.
Due to time constraints, the prosecution was unable to conclude its closing arguments.
The festivities will return on June 5.
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