Closing arguments in the murder trial determining guilt over Sacramento’s deadliest shooting are expected to begin Tuesday.This follows weeks of testimony that saw reluctant witnesses—some only speaking under subpoena or the condition of immunity, conflicting statements and occasional heated back-and-forth between witnesses and attorneys.The issue over the April 3, 2022, shootout along K Street that left six people dead and 12 more injured is what drove the confrontation.Proceedings begin Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The judge presiding over the case said the defense may call forth one more witness before closing arguments begin sometime midday.K Street trial updates todayFind live updates below as they occurUpdates from June 16 and afterwardHighlights throughout the trialProsecutors argue that gang violence and motivation caused a standoff between rival gangs in downtown Sacramento, which a gang expert testified was neutral territory. Throughout the trial, body-worn camera footage, surveillance footage and recollections from people who were there painted a chaotic scene along the K Street corridor, a hotspot for nightlife.See part 1 of opening statements in the video player belowLaw enforcement who were assigned to investigate the shooting also presented their findings on the social media accounts of those tied to the shooting, noting emojis, phrases and even spellings they said were indicative of gang activity.Defense attorneys, however, argue that the shooting was not premeditated and that friends were out enjoying nightlife until gunfire broke out. They have also repeatedly suggested throughout the trial that one of the slain gunmen, Sergio Harris, was the “tough guy” who instigated the violent confrontation.Watch part 2 of opening statements in the video player belowMtula Payton and Dandrae Martin, the two surviving defendants standing trial, also took to the stand to testify on their perspectives from the night of the shooting.Payton, who admits to being a Garden Blocc Crip since 11 years of age, said his intention the night of the shooting was to meet up with his friend, DeVazia Turner, another man who died during the gunbattle.He stated that for much of the night, he felt safe and that he only kept a gun on him for his own peace of mind, but he faced questioning from prosecutors as to how his friend Turner got a gun if he managed to get into a nightclub that wands for weapons.Another line of questioning Payton faced centered around the minutes before the shooting, which is when Payton said he started feeling unsafe when he heard someone had a gun. Prosecutors questioned why he didn’t simply leave if he truly started feeling unsafe.He also stated that he only started returning fire after he tripped and fell while fleeing.Dandrae Martin also faced tough questioning when he took the stand. One of the prosecutors called him out for previous statements he gave detectives shortly after the shooting.She noted that Dandrae lied about having a gun, firing a gun, his brother, Smiley Martin, having a gun and that the only person he knew in the group he was with was Smiley.Dandrae also testified that he is not and never was a gang member. However, the prosecution showed him his social media activity that has references to Crips.When pressed about certain moments in videos he was present in, Dandrae said he was not reacting to gang-related phrases and that he was simply “feeling the music.”The two face murder and weapons charges. Smiley Martin also faced those charges, but he died while in custody in 2024.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.Sergio Harris, DeVazia Turner and Joshua Hoye-Luchessi also died in the shooting, but California law does not consider people who participated in gunbattles that result in death or injury to be victims.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. —
Closing arguments in the murder trial determining guilt over Sacramento’s deadliest shooting are expected to begin Tuesday.
This follows weeks of testimony that saw reluctant witnesses—some only speaking under subpoena or the condition of immunity, conflicting statements and occasional heated back-and-forth between witnesses and attorneys.
The issue over the April 3, 2022, shootout along K Street that left six people dead and 12 more injured is what drove the confrontation.
Proceedings begin Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The judge presiding over the case said the defense may call forth one more witness before closing arguments begin sometime midday.
K Street trial updates today
Find live updates below as they occur
Updates from June 16 and afterward
Highlights throughout the trial
Prosecutors argue that gang violence and motivation caused a standoff between rival gangs in downtown Sacramento, which a gang expert testified was neutral territory. Throughout the trial, body-worn camera footage, surveillance footage and recollections from people who were there painted a chaotic scene along the K Street corridor, a hotspot for nightlife.
See part 1 of opening statements in the video player below
Law enforcement who were assigned to investigate the shooting also presented their findings on the social media accounts of those tied to the shooting, noting emojis, phrases and even spellings they said were indicative of gang activity.
Defense attorneys, however, argue that the shooting was not premeditated and that friends were out enjoying nightlife until gunfire broke out. They have also repeatedly suggested throughout the trial that one of the slain gunmen, Sergio Harris, was the “tough guy” who instigated the violent confrontation.
Watch part 2 of opening statements in the video player below
Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin, the two surviving defendants standing trial, also took to the stand to testify on their perspectives from the night of the shooting.
Payton, who admits to being a Garden Blocc Crip since 11 years of age, said his intention the night of the shooting was to meet up with his friend, DeVazia Turner, another man who died during the gunbattle.
He stated that for much of the night, he felt safe and that he only kept a gun on him for his own peace of mind, but he faced questioning from prosecutors as to how his friend Turner got a gun if he managed to get into a nightclub that wands for weapons.
Another line of questioning Payton faced centered around the minutes before the shooting, which is when Payton said he started feeling unsafe when he heard someone had a gun. Prosecutors questioned why he didn’t simply leave if he truly started feeling unsafe.
He also stated that he only started returning fire after he tripped and fell while fleeing.
Dandrae Martin also faced tough questioning when he took the stand. One of the prosecutors called him out for previous statements he gave detectives shortly after the shooting.
She noted that Dandrae lied about having a gun, firing a gun, his brother, Smiley Martin, having a gun and that the only person he knew in the group he was with was Smiley.
Dandrae also testified that he is not and never was a gang member. However, the prosecution showed him his social media activity that has references to Crips.
When pressed about certain moments in videos he was present in, Dandrae said he was not reacting to gang-related phrases and that he was simply “feeling the music.”
The two face murder and weapons charges. Smiley Martin also faced those charges, but he died while in custody in 2024.
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.
Sergio Harris, DeVazia Turner and Joshua Hoye-Luchessi also died in the shooting, but California law does not consider people who participated in gunbattles that result in death or injury to be victims.
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