MADISON, Wis. — A jury trial commenced Tuesday for Devonte Gafford, 34, who faces charges related to the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Devon Grant over two years ago at the Grandview Common Apartments.
Gafford is accused of killing Grant on July 13, 2021, during what prosecutors claim was a drug deal gone wrong. In March 2023, he was convicted for firearm possession as a felon. However, a judge declared a mistrial concerning more serious charges of first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree recklessly endangering safety.
Following the jury selection process that concluded Monday, both the prosecution and defense presented their opening statements, outlining their perspectives on the events leading to the shooting. Dane County Assistant District Attorney William Brown argued that Gafford was robbed by Grant shortly before the incident, emphasizing that Gafford and an accomplice, Mark Parks Jr., targeted Grant’s residence with the intention of executing their plan.
Brown stated, “They got out of this car with guns drawn. There was no indication of an ongoing altercation before they exited the vehicle. This was a premeditated act.” He noted that video footage revealed the two men arrived prepared for violence, suggesting they had specifically cased the area prior to the attack.
In defense of Gafford, attorney Jason Gonzalez contended that his client and Parks Jr. were initially on the receiving end of gunfire and acted out of self-defense. “The evidence will demonstrate that their actions were not unprovoked, and while some may question the possession of firearms, that does not negate the possibility of self-defense,” Gonzalez argued.
Parks Jr. remains a co-defendant in this case, with his own trial scheduled for December.
The re-trial is expected to continue Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., where the jury will hear further testimony related to the case.
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