An 18-year-old who has been indicted on charges that he shot and killed Darrel Hendy in Southeast D.C. last September, did so at the behest of a man who took the youth in off the streets, fed him and gave him a place to stay, according to testimony in court Tuesday.
Chamontae Walker sat quietly through his preliminary hearing on first degree murder charges Tuesday morning in front of Judge Thomas Motley.
According to MPD Detective Gabriel Truby, who testified at the hearing, investigators believe that Walker, 35, was upset with Hendy for allegedly stealing a bracelet. Meeko Sha Carraway, a homeless youth living with Walker, told Walker where Hendy was, took the handgun and ammunition that Walker handed him and shortly thereafter shot Hendy, the arrest warrant for Walker states.
MEEKO stated to [Walker] ‘Watch this.’ MEEKO then walked up behind [Hendy] and shot [Hendy] multiple times.
Motley said under the Pinkerton theory of liability, which holds that partners conspiring together are each responsible for the actions of the other, there is “substantial probability” that Walker committed premeditated first-degree murder while armed. Motley ordered Walker held at least until a status conference on May 6.
Carraway was indicted on April 6 on one charge of first degree murder as well as three weapons charges. He was arraigned on Friday and pleaded innocent on all counts. Carraway is due back in court with Walker on May 6. Charging documents in that case are here.
