Tuesday’s court proceedings in the murder trial for Sacramento’s deadliest shooting centered largely so far around one of the gunmen killed in the gunbattle that may have been gang-related.Sergio Harris was one of the six people killed in the April 3, 2022, shooting along the K Street corridor. However, because California law does not consider people who participate in shootings that injure or kill people victims, only three of the six killed are innocent bystanders.The prosecution is focused on convincing jurors that the shooting stemmed from a confrontation between rival gangs, while defense attorneys for defendants Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin argue the shootout was unplanned and happened after a tense conversation.What’s more, one of the defense attorneys blamed Harris for being an instigator who led to gunfire being exchanged.The trial continued after taking a little over a week-long break.Highlights from May 5Track live updates as they appear belowIn the courtroom Tuesday was one of Harris’ cousins, whose initials are IH. Much of the testimony before a court recess focused on the concept of gang culture and Harris’ relations with another area gang. IH is the latest of reluctant witnesses who did not want to testify and are only doing so because they were subpoenaed. IH recalled the night of the shooting, saying he met Harris at a midtown bar before making their way to the London nightclub that once existed on 10th Street near J Street. The cousin said Harris knew a lot of the people who were present at the nightclub.After a lunch break, the prosecutor showed surveillance video from shortly before 2 a.m. the night of the shooting. IH was asked the identity of a man circled in red on the screen. He responded by saying, “I would say probably Sergio.” After showing a clearer image, he confirmed it was Sergio.The six killed 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.The other three people who died were 29-year-old DeVazia Turner, 38-year-old Sergio Harris and 32-year-old Joshua Hoye-Luchessi. 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
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Tuesday’s court proceedings in the murder trial for Sacramento’s deadliest shooting centered largely so far around one of the gunmen killed in the gunbattle that may have been gang-related.
Sergio Harris was one of the six people killed in the April 3, 2022, shooting along the K Street corridor. However, because California law does not consider people who participate in shootings that injure or kill people victims, only three of the six killed are innocent bystanders.
The prosecution is focused on convincing jurors that the shooting stemmed from a confrontation between rival gangs, while defense attorneys for defendants Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin argue the shootout was unplanned and happened after a tense conversation.
What’s more, one of the defense attorneys blamed Harris for being an instigator who led to gunfire being exchanged.
The trial continued after taking a little over a week-long break.
Highlights from May 5
Track live updates as they appear below
In the courtroom Tuesday was one of Harris’ cousins, whose initials are IH. Much of the testimony before a court recess focused on the concept of gang culture and Harris’ relations with another area gang. IH is the latest of reluctant witnesses who did not want to testify and are only doing so because they were subpoenaed.
IH recalled the night of the shooting, saying he met Harris at a midtown bar before making their way to the London nightclub that once existed on 10th Street near J Street. The cousin said Harris knew a lot of the people who were present at the nightclub.
After a lunch break, the prosecutor showed surveillance video from shortly before 2 a.m. the night of the shooting.
IH was asked the identity of a man circled in red on the screen. He responded by saying, “I would say probably Sergio.” After showing a clearer image, he confirmed it was Sergio.
The six killed 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.
The other three people who died were 29-year-old DeVazia Turner, 38-year-old Sergio Harris and 32-year-old Joshua Hoye-Luchessi.
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