Steven Curtis Moore | Homicide Watch DC

A Look Back on the 21st and Vietnam Cases in 2014

Imari Williams — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 17:50:37 -0500

It's been more than three years since Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore were killed in separate crew-related shootings in Northeast DC. This year their alleged killers were convicted and sentenced, ending a complex multi-defendant case.

Six men were charged in 2011 and 2012: Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, Anthony Hatton, Stanley Moghalu, Delrico Shuford, and Jewkan Smith. They were bound by their allegiance to "21st and Vietnam," a crew allegedly responsible for taking part in a number of violent acts that injured one person and killed Fogle, 17; Sheffield, 24; and Moore, 36. The men were all charged with 21 criminal counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault and weapons charges for the 2011 murders.

On August 29, 2011, Tyrell Fogle was chased through Langston Terrace and gunned down by a masked man. Isaiah Sheffield was shot and killed in September 2011 when he rode his bike down 21st Street Northeast. Steven Moore was simply found shot, early in the evening of Dec. 3, 2011, in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast.

Shuford and Charles pleaded guilty in April and June 2013 for their involvement in the deaths of Moore and Fogle.

Shuford pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy in connection with Fogle's death. He testified later in the case that Hatton was the shooter and claimed that he himself played a limited role in Fogle's death.

Shuford told jurors that he didn't fire one gunshot at Fogle the night he was murdered, but that Hatton did, and that he tried to stop Hatton. Shuford told jurors that he used to belong to 21st and Vietnam, which is named after an area near 21st and I Street Northeast, where the group sold drugs. According to Shuford, his crew and another group called "E Street" had been "beefing" for a reason he could not remember dating back to at least 2010, and that beef is what ended Fogle's life. Shuford was sentenced to five years in prison.

Days before trial, Charles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of Steven Moore. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

Harris, Smith, Hatton and Moghalu went to trial. During five weeks of testimony, prosecutors argued Fogle and Sheffield were murdered almost within a month of each other due to their affiliation with the rival gang "E Street."

Hatton shot Fogle, who was unarmed, over a woman, prosecutors said. He was shot three times -- in the back and the back of the legs -- as he tried to flee his own apartment because he was dating the same person as Delrico Shuford, according to prosecutors. The murder weapon was found at Hatton's feet when he was arrested.

About a month later, on Sept. 24, Fogle's friend Sheffield was riding his bike when he was shot multiple times by Jekwan Smith, prosecutors argued at trial. Sheffield attempted to hide behind a car and return fire, but it was too late.

Prosecutors added that two months later, the group murdered Steven Moore, a witness in Sheffield's death, who was believed to be a police informant, leading Jewkan Smith, Johnnie Harris and others to plot his death. The men had an unspoken agreement to protect each other, prosecutors said.

After three weeks of deliberations, Smith and Harris were cleared of first-degree murder while armed in connection with Sheffield's death. Harris and Moghalu were acquitted of killing Moore. Moghalu was also found innocent on a separate charge of committing a crime while on release, but a judge declared a mistrial after jurors couldn't reach a verdict on two counts of carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful possession of a firearm. Moghalu was retried in 2014 on the gun charges, convicted, and sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

But jurors could not reach decisions on the other men's charges in the cases, including charges of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, second-degree murder, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with Fogle and Sheffield's death. Smith, Harris, and Hatton's cases were declared a mistrial.

On Sept. 8, 2014, Smith, Harris and Hatton pleaded guilty to lesser charges for the deaths of Tyrell Fogle and Isaiah Sheffield.

Hatton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for killing Fogle and is serving a 15-year prison sentence.

Harris pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for Sheffield's death and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter while armed -- one count for Sheffield and another for the 2007 murder of Michael Pearson. He was sentenced to 17 and a half years.

The U.S. Attorney's Office and MPD declined to comment on whether the 21st and Vietnam crew remains active.

5 Year Sentence in Tyrell Fogle's Fatal Shooting; Judge: "This is a gift"

Imari Williams — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:58:18 -0500

A judge sentenced Delrico Shuford to five years in prison Friday for his participation in the shooting death of Tyrell Fogle, 17, on August 29, 2011.

Addressing the court, Shuford said: "I apologize to the family and I'm glad I had a chance to cooperate fully." He added, "I had no intentions of harming Fogle. I wish I could take it back."

In April 2013, Shuford pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy. Shuford testified later at trial that Anthony Hatton shot Fogle. Shuford said he had tried to stop him.

Shuford said that he spoke with Fogle months before his death and settled a dispute that began over a woman both men had dated. "We shook hands and left it then and there," Shuford testified.

Almost two months later, though, on August 29, Fogle was riding his bike along 21st Street when someone else affiliated with 21st and Vietnam told him that he better not come back to the area. Fogle relayed the message to a friend, and a little later, Fogle's friend and Shuford got into an argument, Shuford said.

Hatton heard about the argument, tracked Fogle down and shot him, according to Shuford.

Shuford is the last man to be sentenced in connection to the 21st and Vietnam killings.

Hatton, Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, and Jekwan Smith were sentenced last month for the murders of Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield, 24, and Steven Moore, 36, in 2011.

Police witnessed Hatton chase and fire shots at Fogle. They found Fogle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Bach argued that Shuford had a small role in Fogle's death. "Shuford was making the right decision until he ran away," Bach said "He supported an associate, but he has shown a ton of remorse." She added: "He feels like it's his fault."

Shuford's defense attorney Elliott Queen agreed. "It's already been said, Shuford wished that the whole situation had not happened," Queen told the court.

"You did cause his death because of the lifestyle you lead," Judge Lynn Leibovitz said before sentencing. Leibovitz told Shuford, "This is a gift," and said she hopes that he takes it seriously.

5 Years For Steven Moore's Death In 21st and Vietnam Case

Imari Williams — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 18:12:26 -0500

Kevin Charles was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday for the death of Steven Curtis Moore on December 3, 2011.

In June 2013, just days before trial, Charles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence.

Johnnie Harris, Anthony Hatton, Jekwan Smith were sentenced last week for the murders of Tyrell Fogle, 17, and Isaiah Sheffield, 24, in 2011.

Charles, Harris, Hatton, and Smith, are linked by their allegiance to 21st and Vietnam, a neighborhood gang whose members were indicted on 21 criminal charges. As members of the group, they committed a series of attacks that resulted in the deaths of Moore, Fogle, and Sheffield. Jurors acquitted Harris and his co-defendant Stanley Moghalu of Moore's murder in September 2013.

Moore, 36, was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast. He died at local hospital.

Defense attorney James Maloney argued that there was no evidence tying Charles directly to the killing of Moore and asked for him to be sentenced outside of guidelines.

"Although he pleaded guilty, he was never in possession of a weapon," James Maloney said. "The sentence should reflect his reduced role in Moore's death."

Judge Henry Greene agreed based on Charles limited involvement in Moore's fatal shooting and the acquittal of two other men in the case.

"I've considered his level of participation and that the two other individuals were in fact found not guilty, but evidence showed there were two shooters," Judge Greene said before delivering his sentencing. "But, a jury didn't find that."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Bach argued that it was Charles' refusal to assist the government that led to Moghalu and Harris' verdict.

"We may have been able to convict the others if Charles just told us what he knew," Bach said. She added that she offered him a number of choices where he didn't have to be in his position.

Charles asked for leniency as he addressed the court. "I'm very remorseful to the victim's family and my family," Charles said. "Please have mercy. I just want to put this behind me."

Judge Delays Kevin Charles Sentencing

Amelia Rufer — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 21:45:03 -0400

Kevin Charles was set to be sentenced Wednesday in the December 2011 shooting death of Steven Curtis Moore, but a judge instead postponed the matter after Charles expressed doubt about his own guilt.

Charles pleaded guilty in June 2013 to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in connection with Moore's death. But after reading a series of letters from Charles, Judge Henry Greene explained that he was no longer convinced that Charles believed himself to be guilty.

"I don't see how I can sentence a man for a minimum of five years for something he says he didn't commit," Judge Greene said.

More than 14 months since Charles' plea, his former co-defendants Johnnie Harris and Stanley Moghalu were acquitted of charges in relation to Moore's death. Prosecutors alleged that the three men, along with Anthony Hatton and Jekwan Smith, were linked by their loyalty to a group called “21st and Vietnam".

In exchange for Charles' plea, prosecutors originally agreed to dismiss his other charges and to request a prison sentence of seven and a half to 10 years. On Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Lyons said that prosecutors would ask for a reduced sentence of five to seven and a half years in Charles' case.

According to his letters to the court, Charles said he accepted the plea deal despite his innocence in order to eliminate the risk of losing in trial.

"I have not conspired to harm anyone in no way, form, or fashion," Charles wrote in a letter dated Aug. 25, 2014. "Deep in my heart I know I should be home with my family, but my attorney and other attorneys convinced me that pleading guilty was the better option by the way things looked."

Almost a year earlier, on Aug. 26, 2013, Charles wrote, "I am very remorseful for my misconduct. Sincerely from my heart to the victim's family, also to my community for not continuing to display the good role model I am."

AUSA Lyons told the court that it is "not the least bit surprising" that the defendant is having second thoughts, noting that "his friends" received partial acquittals and mistrials.

"As time goes on and things happen, I'm sure [Charles] has some regrets, as many defendants do," Lyons said in court Wednesday.

Judge Greene added that Charles would be "opening himself up" if he withdrew his plea, saying he was "not sure how well [Charles] thought it through."

Charles' sentencing was rescheduled to Nov. 19 at 12:45 p.m., again before Judge Greene.

Judge Declares Mistrial on Remaining Charges Against Anthony Hatton

Ivan Natividad — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 15:30:50 -0500

Judge Henry Greene declared a mistrial Monday on the remaining counts against Anthony Hatton, after the jury notified the court that they were deadlocked on the charges.

Jurors sent a note to the clerk Monday morning stating that after more than a week of deliberations solely on Hatton's case they were unable to reach a verdict. Jurors have been deliberating in the complex multi-co-defendant, multi-charge case since August 20.

"The jury has had a sufficient amount of time to come to a decision on these charges," Greene said. "But they haven't."

Hatton, 20, can still be retried on charges of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with the 2011 shooting death of 17-year-old Tyrell Fogle.

During a two month trial, prosecutors argued that Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu were members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam,” and responsible for the deaths of Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield, and Steven Moore.

But in October, Moghalu was found innocent in the shooting death of Moore. His two remaining weapons offenses were declared mistrials, after jurors were confused over the charges.

In August, jurors found Hatton innocent of three offenses that were unrelated to Fogle's death. Those verdicts will stand.

Jurors will continue deliberating on the remaining charges against Smith and Harris Tuesday morning.

Judge Declares Mistrial on Remaining Charges Against Stanley Moghalu

Ivan Natividad — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 21:27:27 -0400

After finding Stanley Moghalu innocent of murder last month, jurors in the case have failed to come to any conclusions on lesser weapons charges in the case, prompting Judge Henry Greene to declare a mistrial Monday.

Moghalu, 25, was accused of killing 36-year-old Steven Curtis Moore. The earlier verdicts, which found Moghalu innocent, will stand. But he could face a retrial on the weapons charges. He remains held pending a status hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

Jurors in the case have deliberated for more than two months and have not yet announced verdicts on remaining charges against three of Moghalu's co-defendants. They are expected to continue deliberating Tuesday.

During a trial that lasted nearly two months, prosecutors argued that Moghalu, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Anthony Hatton were members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam.” As such, they were charged with 21 counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges related to the deaths of Moore, Isaiah Sheffield, and Tyrell Fogle.

Police found Moore December 3, 2011 around 6:33 p.m. on the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. Five months later Moghalu was arrested, along with Harris and Kevin Charles, and charged with Moore's death.

In June, Charles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed. Four months later, after two months of witness testimony and about a month of deliberations, jurors found Moghalu and Harris innocent of the most serious charges-- murder, obstruction, and weapons violations-- in connection with Moore’s death.

Moghalu was also found innocent on a separate charge of committing a crime while on release, but still faced two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

On Monday, as deliberations entered their ninth week, jurors seemed to be confused about the remaining charges against Moghalu. After the fourth jury note was sent to the court, Judge Greene declared a mistrial on the two firearms charges.

Deliberations in the case began August 20 and have been plagued with delays and apparent disagreements. Three jurors have been dismissed from service. Earlier this month jurors reported that they were unable to continue deliberating after one juror had to be restrained after attempting to physically attack another juror.

Five partial verdicts have been delivered since the beginning of deliberations. All previous verdicts delivered in the case against Moghalu will stand.

Jurors will continue deliberating on the remaining charges against Hatton, Smith and Harris Tuesday morning.

Stanley Moghalu Found Innocent of Conspiracy Charge in Steven Moore Death

Ivan Natividad — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 17:59:37 -0400

Jurors in the “21st and Vietnam” murder trial reached another partial verdict Thursday, finding Stanley Moghalu innocent of one count of conspiracy in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of 36-year-old Steven Moore.

The verdict is the fifth in the case; jurors have been deliberating since Aug. 20.

Prosecutors claim Moghalu, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Anthony Hatton are alleged members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam." The codefendants were charged with 21 counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges related to deaths of Moore, Isaiah Sheffield, and Tyrell Fogle.

Last month jurors found Moghalu and Harris innocent of murder, obstruction, and weapons charges in connection with Moore's death. Moghalu, 25, was also found innocent on a separate charge of committing a crime while on release.

While Moghalu has been found innocent of the most serious charges in the indictment, he still faces two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The verdict Thursday comes two days after jurors told Judge Lynn Leibovitz that deliberations have been stymied due to one juror's "disruptive outbursts."

A note sent from the jury foreperson to Judge Leibovitz Monday described an altercation they had with a juror.

According to the note, on September 25 the juror began crying and screaming during deliberations after accusing the foreperson of "picking on her" because of her opinions about the case. The note said that the juror then attempted to move toward the foreperson and had to be physically restrained by other jurors.

"These outbursts and accusations has delayed the deliberations because [Juror #11]shuts down and refuses to participate," the note said.

Since the start of deliberations the jury has faced major setbacks. A partial verdict on September 11 was rejected after jurors appeared to be confused about the charges. Since August 20, three jurors have been dismissed from deliberations, forcing the jury to start the decision-making process over each time.

Jurors are scheduled to continue deliberations Friday.

Smith, Harris Innocent of Most Serious Murder Charge

Ivan Natividad — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 17:47:02 -0400

Jurors in the “21st and Vietnam” murder trial reached yet another partial verdict on Friday, announcing decisions on a total of five charges against Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu.

The verdict is the fourth in the case; jurors have been deliberating since Aug. 20.

On Friday the jury found Smith and Harris, charged with the death of Isaiah Sheffield, innocent of first-degree premeditated murder while armed. The two men could still be convicted of second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter while armed in connection with Sheffield's death. The jury will continue to deliberate on those charges.

Smith, Harris, Moghalu, and Anthony Hatton are alleged members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam," and are charged with counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges related to the deaths of Sheffield, Tyrell Fogle and Steven Moore.

Earlier this week, Moghalu and Harris were found innocent of murder and firearms charges in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of 36-year-old Moore. On Friday, jurors also found Moghalu and Harris innocent on a charge of obstruction of justice in connection with Moore's death.

Moghalu, 25, was found innocent on a separate charge of committing a crime while on release, in Moore's death.

No verdicts were delivered for Hatton Friday, who was found innocent in August on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license in the August 2011 shooting death of 17-year-old Fogle.

The indictment in the case included a total of 21 charges.

Jurors in the case are expected to continue deliberations Monday.

Stanley Moghalu and Johnnie Harris Found Innocent in Steven Moore Murder

Megan Arellano — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 12:09:51 -0400

After four weeks of deliberations, jurors in the “21st and Vietnam” murder trial on Tuesday found Stanley Moghalu and Johnnie Harris innocent of murder and firearms charges in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of Steven Moore.

The verdict was a partial one; Anthony Hatton still faces murder charges in connection with the August 2011 shooting death of Tyrell Fogle and Jekwan Smith still faces murder charges for the September 2011 shooting of Isaiah Sheffield.

All four men in the case still face conspiracy charges.

Prosecutors alleged that Moghalu, Harris, Smith and Hatton were linked by their loyalty to a crew called “21st and Vietnam,” a crew that prosecutors believed was responsible for the deaths of Fogle, Sheffield and Moore. The co-defendants were charged with 21 counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges related to the three murders from fall 2011.

All four men remain held while jury deliberations continue.

Since the start of deliberations on August 20, the jury has faced significant impediments. A partial verdict on September 11 was rejected after jurors appeared to be confused by their own decision. Three jurors have been dismissed from service during deliberations, forcing the jury to restart the decision-making process each time.

Jurors in the case are expected to continue deliberating Wednesday on the remaining charges.

Partial Verdict in "21st and Vietnam" Murder Case Rejected

Ivan Natividad — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 18:31:17 -0400

After three weeks of deliberating, jurors in the "21st and Vietnam" murder trial announced partial verdicts Wednesday morning on two of the four defendants, but the judge assigned to the case refused to accept their ruling when jurors on one of the verdicts did not appear to be unanimous and the other verdict was read in a confusing manner.

The verdicts related to Johnnie Harris and Jekwan Smith. It is not clear what the intended verdicts-- or charges they corresponded to-- were.

Harris and Smith, along with Anthony Hatton and Stanley Moghalu, are alleged to be members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam,” and are charged with the deaths of Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore.

Deliberations in the case have been plagued with problems. Three jurors have been dismissed from service during deliberations and alternates appointed in their places.

On Tuesday evening jurors announced they had reached a partial verdict on charges against Harris and Smith; Judge Henry Greene elected to hear the verdicts the following morning due to the late hour and time necessary to assemble the attorneys in the case.

Wednesday morning, when Judge Greene polled the jury on their verdict on Harris, one juror said she did not agree with the verdict read by the foreperson. Polling ended and the jury was instructed to continue deliberating on that charge.

When a verdict was read for Smith, the foreperson read the verdict one way, then reversed it. Because of the confusion, jurors were instructed to continue deliberating on that charge as well.

Defense motions for mistrial were denied.

Jurors in the case are expected back to continue deliberating on Thursday.

Judge in "21st and Vietnam" Murder Trial Denies Motion for Mistrial, After Releasing Another Juror

Ivan Natividad — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 19:53:32 -0400

A jury that has been deliberating for more than two weeks in a DC murder case was excused Thursday morning after the judge in the case decided to remove one juror from the group.

It is the third time a juror has been dismissed from service in the case, which began June 25.

The case alleges that Anthony Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu are members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam," which is alleged to be responsible for the deaths of Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore.

Jurors began deliberating Aug. 20 and have met for a total of 10 days.

According to court dockets, on four of those days jurors have been delayed due to issues with a juror being dismissed. Jurors have also never deliberated for more than three and a half days before having to restart deliberations in the case.

On August 26 a juror was released due to medical issues, and three days later a second juror was asked to leave after other jurors complained he was sleeping during deliberations.

On Thursday, another juror was released after not reporting to court earlier this week. Before releasing him, Judge Henry Greene questioned the juror on his attendance.

Greene said that in that conversation the juror said he had used illegal drugs over the weekend to ease the pain from health issues and because of the drug use, did not come to court.

"The seriousness of his misconduct bespeaks that he is not able to fairly serve on this jury," Greene said.

Greene denied a defense motion for mistrial while handling this matter Thursday.

With each dismissal of a juror an alternate has been appointed. Three alternate jurors remain in the pool, should any other issues come up during deliberations.

Jurors in the case are expected back Monday to restart deliberations.

Jury Delivers Partial Verdict in "21st and Vietnam" Murder Trial, One Juror Released

Megan Arellano — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:14:48 -0400

Jurors in the "21st and Vietnam" murder trial announced Monday that they had reached a verdict on three of the seven charges against Anthony Hatton. Meanwhile, one of the jurors had to be released because of medical issues.

Since August 20, jurors have been deliberating in a case charging Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu as members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam” that is alleged to be responsible for the deaths of Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore. But on Monday, Judge Henry Greene learned that one of the jurors had a serious medical condition that required immediate attention. For that reason, he called in the twelve jurors and asked whether they had made a decision with regard to any of the charges in the case.

Their answer was "yes."

Jurors announced Monday that they had found Hatton innocent on three counts: assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license. The jury, however, was unable to reach a verdict with regard to the charges of conspiracy and first-degree murder.

No verdicts have yet been reached in regard to defendants Smith, Harris and Moghalu.

Judge Green dismissed the sick juror "with deep personal regret" and the first and second alternate jurors have been contacted.

The jury is expected to restart deliberations Tuesday morning in regards to the remaining charges against the four defendants.

Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referenced the total number of charges Hatton faces. The correct number is seven.

Jury Deliberations Begin in "21st and Vietnam" Murder Trial

Megan Arellano — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 15:41:32 -0400

Prosecutors and defense counsel in the "21st and Vietnam" murder trial have concluded closing arguments and the case now rests in the hands of the jury, who began deliberations around noon Tuesday.

During the trial, which lasted nearly two months, prosecutors argued that Anthony Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris and Stanley Moghalu were members of a crew called "21st and Vietnam" that "turned [their] neighborhood into a battleground." Prosecutors allege that the four men are linked by loyalty and are responsible for the shooting deaths of Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield, and Steven Moore.

Defense counsel for the men argued, though, that the defendants are not members of "21st and Vietnam," and that the government's case is filled with insufficient evidence and false identifications.

Hatton, Harris, Smith and Moghalu are charged with 21 criminal counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault and weapons charges related to the 2011 shooting deaths of Fogle, Sheffield and Moore.

Tyrell Fogle, 17, was shot and killed Aug. 29, 2011, in the 1900 block of Bennett Place Northeast. Prosecutors believe Hatton killed Fogle because of his affiliation with a rival crew called "E Street."

Delrico Shuford, a self-professed member of "21st and Vietnam," testified that Hatton shot Fogle after hearing about an argument between Shuford and Fogle's friend. According to Shuford, Hatton wanted to find the guy and ran toward Bennett Place NE carrying a 9mm Beretta and a ski mask. At the intersection of 21st and Bennett Place, Hatton found Fogle riding his bike and fired 10 or 11 shots before Fogle could jump off, Shuford told the court.

Less than one month later, 24-year-old Isaiah Sheffield was shot and killed in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast. Prosecutors believe he was also killed because of his affiliation with "E Street."

Daphne Featherstone testified that she was helping her daughter move to the 1100 block of 21st Street on Sept. 23, 2011, when she heard gunshots. As she watched her daughter's belongings in a parked U-Haul, Featherstone saw a young man ride his bike up 21st Street from Maryland Avenue. Suddenly, a group of five to seven males started shooting at the young man hitting him with "20-30 bullets," Featherstone testified. Featherstone said she could not identify any of the shooters, but she described one as having "shoulder length dreadlocks with his hat turned to the side."

Steven Moore, 36, was shot and killed Dec. 3, 2011, also in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast. Prosecutors allege he was shot by Harris and Moghalu because they believed he was a "snitch."

"He wasn't just shot and killed, he was executed," Lyons told the court during closings. "His shooters were sending a message: snitches are not tolerated."

Moghalu, meanwhile, denied having any involvement with Moore's death. In fact, Moghalu said he didn't even know Moore.

“I knew of him, but we never conversed,” Moghalu testified at trial. “We never had an argument; we never had any kind of physical altercation. Never.”

Moghalu further testified that he was purchasing his girlfriend an engagement ring at the time of Moore's death.

Metropolitan Police Detective Bryan Kasul testified that in March 2012 Worsley told him that people in the 21st Street neighborhood were upset with Moore because they thought he was "hot" and "snitching."

Prosecutors said at trial, though, that Moore had never spoken with the government as a potential witness in any case.

Jury deliberations will resume Wednesday morning.

Closing Arguments Begin in '21st and Vietnam' Trial

Megan Arellano — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 17:24:43 -0400

Closing arguments began Wednesday in the case charging four alleged members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam” with the deaths of Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore. Prosecutors in the trial say that defendants Anthony Hatton, Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris, and Stanley Moghalu, are linked to the shooting deaths by their loyalty to a group called “21st and Vietnam,” an area near 21st and I Street in Northeast DC.

The defendants in this case are charged with 21 counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault, and weapons charges related to the 2011 shooting deaths of Fogle, Sheffield and Moore.

Prosecutor Laura Bach addressed conspiracy charges and weapon possession in today's closing argument, saying Hatton, Smith, Harris and Moghalu never sat down and said "Hey, let's conspire to murder and obstruct justice." Instead, the men were bound by the common purpose to protect one another she said. And the testimony of Delrico Shuford, a former crew member, showed their loyalty to "21st and Vietnam".

In July, Shuford testified that he used to be affiliated with 21st and Vietnam, and that the group sold drugs in the area known as Vietnam Court. Shuford told jurors that his crew and a group called “E Street” had been “beefing” for a reason he could not remember. According to Shuford, the feud between the groups led Hatton to chase an unarmed Fogle on August 29, 2011, firing and killing Fogle.

Bach showed jurors a September 2011 Facebook posting from Jekwan Smith that expressed Smith's loyalty to "21st and I" until he "lay where the worms lay".

"Anybody have any question about what Jekwan Smith is loyal to?" Bach asked.

Bach told jurors that the testimony of Delonte Black illustrated that "a gun does not come by 21st Street without being bought." Black testified that Kevin Charles and Delrico Shuford both shared guns with Delonte Black, said Bach.

On Thursday, Bach is expected to finish her arguments and attorneys for Hatton and Smith will make their concluding statements. On Friday, attorneys for Harris and Moghalu will conduct their closing arguments before the prosecution offers its final rebuttal.

Stanley Moghalu Testifies in "21st and Vietnam" Murder Trial

Ivan Natividad — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 20:50:09 -0400

Stanley Moghalu, one of two men on trial for the shooting death 36-year-old Steven Curtis Moore, told jurors Monday that he was nowhere near Moore at the time of his death, and that he was with his fiance during the time of the shooting.

"I was with [Alycia Worsley]," Moghalu said. "That night we drove past a road block and I didn't think nothing of it. A friend told me the next day Moore was shot."

Moghalu and co-defendants Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris and Anthony Hatton are alleged members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam,” and are on trial for the murders of Moore, Isaiah Sheffield and Tyrell Fogle.

Moghalu is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Moore's death. Prosecutors say Moghalu was a drug dealer who, along with Harris and Kevin Charles, ambushed Moore, shooting him several times because they believed he was a "snitch."

But Moghalu testified Monday that he "didn't even know" Moore.

"I knew of him, but we never conversed," Moghalu said. "We never had an argument; we never had any kind of physical altercation. Never."

On December 3, 2011, police found Moore at around 6:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast suffering from gunshot wounds. Moore was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

Moghalu told jurors Monday that on the day of Moore's death he went to the mall with his then-girlfriend, Alycia Worsley. Moghalu testified that while at the mall he proposed to Worsley, giving her a ring, and then they lost track of time. Moghalu said later that evening they left the mall to pick up their two kids from day care. Moghalu told jurors that on the way home he saw some streets blocked off but didn't know what happened. The next day, Moghalu said, a friend told him Moore had been shot and killed.

Earlier at trial, Worsley had a similar account for jurors. Asked if she remembered the day, she said yes.

"That day in particular is when I received my engagement ring," she told jurors, waving her left hand to them.

On the stand, Moghalu also distanced himself from the other co-defendants in the case saying that he never met Hatton "until this trial." And Moghalu said that Harris was someone he would "go to the courts with" to play basketball.

But prosecutors said they found a video of Harris boxing on Moghalu's iPhone, and they also played a 2011 phone conversation between Moghalu and Worsley that mentions Hatton.

Last week, Ferris Bond, Moghalu's defense attorney, argued in court that Moghalu never sold drugs. But prosecutors introduced transcript testimony from a 2007 homicide trial where Moghalu was implicated as a drug dealer.

Moghalu told jurors Monday that he did sell marijuana, but "not on 21st Street," he said.

The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday in Judge Henry Greene's courtroom.

Megan Arellano contributed to this report