A witness whom prosecutors say was stabbed in jail ahead of his planned testimony spent a full day under oath.
The former gang member testified in the murder trial of Henry Lee Hayes and Kquame Richardson, the men accused of murdering 22-month-old Aiden McClendon in January 2016. The witness, shackled and dressed in green jail scrubs, offered a rare glimpse into the world of urban violence in Jacksonville, detailing the signs, symbols and signifiers of gang life.
His decision to testify violated the stringent no-snitching code of the streets, which prosecutors said imperiled him to such a degree that the State Attorney’s Office to initially asked Circuit Judge Seven Whittington to close the courtroom during his testimony. After local media objected, the state simply asked – and local TV outlets agreed – not to broadcast his face or voice (hence the daylong disruption of the First Coast News livestream on Thursday).
The significance of his testimony was clear by the amount of time he spent on the stand. He testified that he was a former friend and confederate of the two defendants. Prosecutors introduced dozens of photos showing them together, often flashing hand symbols and weapons.
Prosecutors say Hayes and Richardson killed McClendon in a drive-by whose intended target was the boy’s uncle. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty. Although they are being tried jointly, each has his own jury. They face life in prison if convicted but, because both were teenagers at the time of the incident, they would be sentenced with the possibility of parole.
Around 5 p.m., after the witness had spent a full day translating street slang and hand signals, Prosecutor London Kite asked him about the risk he was taking by testifying.
“Are you scared?” she asked.
“Yes ma’am,” he replied.
“Were you physically attacked for it?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Does what you are doing here today going against everything you were taught to do?”
“Yes, including my reputation.”
Friday's witness lineup is expected to draw heavily on expert testimony: DNA, ballistics, and the state Medical Examiner. Prosecutors will likely introduce at least a few pictures of the murdered toddler.
Evidence in the case could conclude Friday as well, with closing arguments and possibly the start of jury deliberations Monday.