The cousin of one of the gunmen killed during Sacramento’s deadliest shooting testified for a second day in the murder trial determining whether the two surviving defendants are guilty.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.His cousin, whose initials are IH, admitted he is reluctant to testify and is only doing so because he was subpoenaed, a sentiment other witnesses so far during this trial have stated. Law enforcement have said they believed the shootout that also left 12 injured was gang-related, which is what the prosecution is leaning heavily on to convince jurors that Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin are guilty of murder and weapons charges.Meanwhile, the two defense attorneys representing the defendants argue that not only was the violent confrontation unplanned and provoked, but that Sergio Harris instigated the gunbattle after a tense conversation with another group.Highlights from May 6Track live updates as they appear belowIH, who testified previously that he was with his cousin the night of the shooting, spent much of the morning being cross-examined by the defense attorneys. IH claims he did not see the people Sergio Harris got into a shootout with.On Tuesday, Payton’s attorney focused on how IH did not recognize or mention Payton as being part of the shooting.As part of the cross-examination, it was brought up that IH was pulled over and arrested in July 2022, months after the shooting. During this part of the trial, it was revealed that IH, a convicted felon, had ammunition and fireworks in his car, both items he cannot legally possess as a felon.It was revealed that IH was pulled over on the belief that he took the gun Sergio Harris had at the time of the shooting. Detectives questioned IH repeatedly to try to get him to say he took the gun. IH instead pointed at another person but later said that claim was untrue. Both the defense and prosecution asked questions surrounding whether IH’s testimony was to paint Harris as more of a victim.What happened on May 5Much of the testimony before a court recess focused on the concept of gang culture and Harris’ relations with another area gang.The cousin testified about their close relationship and their past gang ties to the Del Paso Heights Bloods. He said both had grown out of that life by 2022 and were no longer actively involved.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.He testified that Harris was arguing with people near 10th and K streets before gunfire erupted.He said he took cover behind a trash can and said he was focused on surviving, not on identifying who was doing the shooting.Afterward, he said he ran to Sergio, tried to help him, performed CPR and stayed until police arrived.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. —
The cousin of one of the gunmen killed during Sacramento’s deadliest shooting testified for a second day in the murder trial determining whether the two surviving defendants are guilty.
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.
His cousin, whose initials are IH, admitted he is reluctant to testify and is only doing so because he was subpoenaed, a sentiment other witnesses so far during this trial have stated.
Law enforcement have said they believed the shootout that also left 12 injured was gang-related, which is what the prosecution is leaning heavily on to convince jurors that Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin are guilty of murder and weapons charges.
Meanwhile, the two defense attorneys representing the defendants argue that not only was the violent confrontation unplanned and provoked, but that Sergio Harris instigated the gunbattle after a tense conversation with another group.
Highlights from May 6
Track live updates as they appear below
IH, who testified previously that he was with his cousin the night of the shooting, spent much of the morning being cross-examined by the defense attorneys. IH claims he did not see the people Sergio Harris got into a shootout with.
On Tuesday, Payton’s attorney focused on how IH did not recognize or mention Payton as being part of the shooting.
As part of the cross-examination, it was brought up that IH was pulled over and arrested in July 2022, months after the shooting. During this part of the trial, it was revealed that IH, a convicted felon, had ammunition and fireworks in his car, both items he cannot legally possess as a felon.
It was revealed that IH was pulled over on the belief that he took the gun Sergio Harris had at the time of the shooting. Detectives questioned IH repeatedly to try to get him to say he took the gun. IH instead pointed at another person but later said that claim was untrue. Both the defense and prosecution asked questions surrounding whether IH’s testimony was to paint Harris as more of a victim.
What happened on May 5
Much of the testimony before a court recess focused on the concept of gang culture and Harris’ relations with another area gang.
The cousin testified about their close relationship and their past gang ties to the Del Paso Heights Bloods. He said both had grown out of that life by 2022 and were no longer actively involved.
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.
He testified that Harris was arguing with people near 10th and K streets before gunfire erupted.
He said he took cover behind a trash can and said he was focused on surviving, not on identifying who was doing the shooting.
Afterward, he said he ran to Sergio, tried to help him, performed CPR and stayed until police arrived.
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