One of the two men accused in Sacramento’s deadliest shooting is expected to continue testifying in his own murder trial on Monday.Previous coverage in the video player aboveMtula Payton, who was first called to the stand by his defense team on June 18 after the prosecution rested its case, spoke of his life as a Garden Blocc Crip since he was 11 years old.Payton testified on his relations with several people tied to the April 3, 2022, shootout that left six people dead and 12 more injured. He admitted to returning fire while running away when gunfire first broke out along the busy K Street corridor.However, following the defense’s narrative of the shooting stemming from a night out with friends gone wrong, Payton spoke of his original plan to meet up with one friend before bumping into several other people that ended up being part of the group where a confrontation spiraled into a gunbattle.Payton answered multiple questions where he stated he did not feel a concern for his safety until roughly two minutes before the shooting when he heard someone saying they had a gun.Meanwhile, prosecutors before resting their case relied on surveillance footage, evidence processed at the scene and testimony from reluctant witnesses—some either through subpoena or the condition of immunity—to paint the picture of premeditated gang activity leading toward the shooting.K Street trial updates todayFind live updates below as they occurUpdates from June 16 and afterwardPrevious trial updatesPayton answered several questions at length about his life, representing Garden Blocc Crips at age 11. His testimony included how, in his early childhood, he was constantly with Smiley Martin, Dandrae’s brother. Smiley was also arrested but died in 2024 while still in custody.The two did just about everything together, Payton said, including skipping school. But in between each of them ending up in custody for their early crimes, Payton said they eventually drifted apart as friends.After repeated pressing from the prosecutor’s cross-examination, Payton specified that it was around the time he was 15 or 16 years old when he would eventually become closer friends with DeVazia Turner, another one of the men who would die the night of the shooting.Around this time, Payton said he would then join Guttah Gass.Toward the end of the defense’s direct examination, the attorney representing Payton played video from the hour leading up to the shooting. It showed Payton and Turner hanging outside of the Rodney’s Liquor at 10th and J streets.Payton recalled that they were waiting there while smoking and sharing a bottle of liquor until District 30 became more packed, as he explained that he wanted to talk to girls and party.Friends spending time together is a core argument that the defense is emphasizing to jurors. Testimony from Payton followed the defense’s narrative.He repeatedly said he did not feel concerned for his safety throughout much of the hour before gunfire broke out. He recalled meeting up with several people, including Smiley Martin and Hoye-Luchessi, who were later involved in the gunfight.It was around 1:57 a.m., however, when Payton said the atmosphere changed. He testified that he heard someone had a gun, causing people at the busy 10th and K intersection to scatter.Afterward, Payton told prosecutors that he started feeling concern for his safety. When people gathered again, the conversation grew tense.BD, a woman who testified earlier under the condition of immunity, joined the group. Payton recalls her yelling and getting into a heated exchange with Hoye-Luchessi. Smiley put his hand on BD’s shoulder before Hoye-Luchessi pushed her out of the way.Seconds later, gunfire erupts. Payton wasn’t sure who fired first, but he admits to running away and returning fire while running away. He took one of DeVazia Turner’s cars and drove away with a friend who was hit by gunfire.When one of the prosecutors cross-examined his testimony, she questioned why Payton and Turner moved the cars they were driving. They were parked right outside of Rodney’s, and Payton said it was to move them out of the fire lane and not to allow space for Harris to park his car, as was suggested earlier in the trial.However, the prosecutor presented a photo of the parking outside of Rodney’s which shows that Turner’s car was not only still parked in the red, but that Harris’ car was parked behind.The prosecutor also questioned why Payton brought a gun to downtown if he was planning to go to District 30, a place that wands patrons for any large items. Payton testified that he forgot he brought the gun, and when he saw it, he took it with him because he usually always carries a gun with him. Updates from May 12 to June 15Updates from the beginning of the trialThe 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
One of the two men accused in Sacramento’s deadliest shooting is expected to continue testifying in his own murder trial on Monday.
Previous coverage in the video player above
Mtula Payton, who was first called to the stand by his defense team on June 18 after the prosecution rested its case, spoke of his life as a Garden Blocc Crip since he was 11 years old.
Payton testified on his relations with several people tied to the April 3, 2022, shootout that left six people dead and 12 more injured. He admitted to returning fire while running away when gunfire first broke out along the busy K Street corridor.
However, following the defense’s narrative of the shooting stemming from a night out with friends gone wrong, Payton spoke of his original plan to meet up with one friend before bumping into several other people that ended up being part of the group where a confrontation spiraled into a gunbattle.
Payton answered multiple questions where he stated he did not feel a concern for his safety until roughly two minutes before the shooting when he heard someone saying they had a gun.
Meanwhile, prosecutors before resting their case relied on surveillance footage, evidence processed at the scene and testimony from reluctant witnesses—some either through subpoena or the condition of immunity—to paint the picture of premeditated gang activity leading toward the shooting.
K Street trial updates today
Find live updates below as they occur
Updates from June 16 and afterward
Previous trial updates
Payton answered several questions at length about his life, representing Garden Blocc Crips at age 11. His testimony included how, in his early childhood, he was constantly with Smiley Martin, Dandrae’s brother. Smiley was also arrested but died in 2024 while still in custody.
The two did just about everything together, Payton said, including skipping school. But in between each of them ending up in custody for their early crimes, Payton said they eventually drifted apart as friends.
After repeated pressing from the prosecutor’s cross-examination, Payton specified that it was around the time he was 15 or 16 years old when he would eventually become closer friends with DeVazia Turner, another one of the men who would die the night of the shooting.
Around this time, Payton said he would then join Guttah Gass.
Toward the end of the defense’s direct examination, the attorney representing Payton played video from the hour leading up to the shooting. It showed Payton and Turner hanging outside of the Rodney’s Liquor at 10th and J streets.
Payton recalled that they were waiting there while smoking and sharing a bottle of liquor until District 30 became more packed, as he explained that he wanted to talk to girls and party.
Friends spending time together is a core argument that the defense is emphasizing to jurors. Testimony from Payton followed the defense’s narrative.
He repeatedly said he did not feel concerned for his safety throughout much of the hour before gunfire broke out. He recalled meeting up with several people, including Smiley Martin and Hoye-Luchessi, who were later involved in the gunfight.
It was around 1:57 a.m., however, when Payton said the atmosphere changed. He testified that he heard someone had a gun, causing people at the busy 10th and K intersection to scatter.
Afterward, Payton told prosecutors that he started feeling concern for his safety. When people gathered again, the conversation grew tense.
BD, a woman who testified earlier under the condition of immunity, joined the group. Payton recalls her yelling and getting into a heated exchange with Hoye-Luchessi. Smiley put his hand on BD’s shoulder before Hoye-Luchessi pushed her out of the way.
Seconds later, gunfire erupts. Payton wasn’t sure who fired first, but he admits to running away and returning fire while running away. He took one of DeVazia Turner’s cars and drove away with a friend who was hit by gunfire.
When one of the prosecutors cross-examined his testimony, she questioned why Payton and Turner moved the cars they were driving. They were parked right outside of Rodney’s, and Payton said it was to move them out of the fire lane and not to allow space for Harris to park his car, as was suggested earlier in the trial.
However, the prosecutor presented a photo of the parking outside of Rodney’s which shows that Turner’s car was not only still parked in the red, but that Harris’ car was parked behind.
The prosecutor also questioned why Payton brought a gun to downtown if he was planning to go to District 30, a place that wands patrons for any large items. Payton testified that he forgot he brought the gun, and when he saw it, he took it with him because he usually always carries a gun with him.
Updates from May 12 to June 15
Updates from the beginning of the trial
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