Gang signs, culture, methodology and a pivotal question mentioned several times throughout the murder trial tied to Sacramento’s deadliest shooting have been the center of testimony on Monday. Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin face murder and weapons charges in connection with the April 3, 2022, shootout that broke out along the K Street corridor, leaving six people dead and 12 more injured.For weeks, prosecutors have been trying to convince jurors that a gang-related standoff led to the gunbattle. Defense attorneys, however, argue that the shooting was not planned and that a conversation turning violent is what ruined a night out between friends.K Street trial updates todayFind live updates below as they occurUpdates from May 12 and afterwardUpdates from the beginning of the trialSacramento Police Department Det. Shaun McGovern spent a week on the stand, testifying in his capacity as the lead investigator in the shooting case.During his testimony, prosecutors showed the moments that led up to the confrontation, showing the seconds from different people’s perspectives.McGovern also spoke of his interview with a boy who was 12 years old and selling hot dogs that night.In the cross-examination portion of McGovern’s testimony, defense attorneys asked if Sergio Harris, one of the three slain gunmen, fired his weapon first. McGovern said yes.Evidence presented throughout the trial showed Harris approached two men, later identified as Dandrae Martin and his brother, Smiley Martin, before gunfire broke out. A reluctant witness who was forced to speak under a subpoena said that the two men asked him “where you from?”Prosecutors and the defense have been arguing about how much influence that question had in causing the shooting.The defense, who have emphasized that bullets from Payton’s gun cannot be tied to any of the deceased, also blamed Harris as being the “tough guy” who instigated the gunbattle after the “where you from?” question.Prosecutors are expected to call at least one more witness before resting their case. Afterward, the defense may choose to call witnesses before the trial enters closing arguments.The victims in the K Street shootingThe three victims are 21-year-old Johntaya “JoJo” Alexander, 57-year-old Melinda Davis, and 21-year-old Yamile Martinez-Andrade.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Gang signs, culture, methodology and a pivotal question mentioned several times throughout the murder trial tied to Sacramento’s deadliest shooting have been the center of testimony on Monday.
Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin face murder and weapons charges in connection with the April 3, 2022, shootout that broke out along the K Street corridor, leaving six people dead and 12 more injured.
For weeks, prosecutors have been trying to convince jurors that a gang-related standoff led to the gunbattle. Defense attorneys, however, argue that the shooting was not planned and that a conversation turning violent is what ruined a night out between friends.
K Street trial updates today
Find live updates below as they occur
Updates from May 12 and afterward
Updates from the beginning of the trial
Sacramento Police Department Det. Shaun McGovern spent a week on the stand, testifying in his capacity as the lead investigator in the shooting case.
During his testimony, prosecutors showed the moments that led up to the confrontation, showing the seconds from different people’s perspectives.
McGovern also spoke of his interview with a boy who was 12 years old and selling hot dogs that night.
In the cross-examination portion of McGovern’s testimony, defense attorneys asked if Sergio Harris, one of the three slain gunmen, fired his weapon first. McGovern said yes.
Evidence presented throughout the trial showed Harris approached two men, later identified as Dandrae Martin and his brother, Smiley Martin, before gunfire broke out. A reluctant witness who was forced to speak under a subpoena said that the two men asked him “where you from?”
Prosecutors and the defense have been arguing about how much influence that question had in causing the shooting.
The defense, who have emphasized that bullets from Payton’s gun cannot be tied to any of the deceased, also blamed Harris as being the “tough guy” who instigated the gunbattle after the “where you from?” question.
Prosecutors are expected to call at least one more witness before resting their case. Afterward, the defense may choose to call witnesses before the trial enters closing arguments.
The victims in the K Street shooting
The three victims are 21-year-old Johntaya “JoJo” Alexander, 57-year-old Melinda Davis, and 21-year-old Yamile Martinez-Andrade.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel