Andre Corbett | Homicide Watch Trentonhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/andre-corbett/Latest news about Andre Corbetten-usTue, 20 Sep 2016 12:48:52 -0400Suspected accomplice nears deal in murder of Trenton graffiti artisthttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2016/09/20/suspected-accomplice-nears-deal-in-murder-of-trenton-graffiti-artist/<p>A suspected accomplice in the 2013 murder of a Trenton graffiti artist is close to reaching a deal with prosecutors.</p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/09/10922374.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2005" src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/09/10922374-240x300.jpg" alt="Zihqwan Clemens" width="240" height="300" srcset="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/09/10922374-240x300.jpg 240w, http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/09/10922374.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Zihqwan Clemens</p> <p>Zihqwan “Woodiey” Clemens, who was charged as an accomplice to the murder of Andre Corbett after he allegedly acted as another man’s wheelman, could reach an agreement with prosecutors as early as this month, officials said Tuesday at a status hearing.</p> <p>The plea deal is expected to package together the murder case and a probation violation from a drug conviction for which Clemens had received five years at the beginning of the year.<span id="more-4826"></span></p> <p>The 5-year sentence, handed down by Judge Robert in January, came back on appeal.</p> <p>Clemens was supposed to be re-sentenced on VOP hearing Tuesday. But instead, the matter was postponed after Assistant Prosecutor James Scott told the court he and Clemens’ new attorney, Mark Fury, are close to resolving the matters.</p> <p>The case is being transferred to Judge Anthony Massi. A new court date has not been set.</p> <p>The attorneys would not delve into specifics of the forthcoming plea deal after the hearing, saying they couldn’t discuss proposed terms of the deal until it has been worked out.</p> <p>Prosecutors’ last offer to Clemens was 30 years for murder, which he rejected.</p> <p>Clemens is accused of being Keith Wells-Holmes’ getaway driver in the killing of Corbett, who was gunned down at point-blank range Jan. 21, 2013, outside an apartment complex on the corner of Hoffman Avenue and Oakland Street.</p> <p>Wells-Holmes, the suspected killer, was acquitted last year at trial.</p> <p>His attorney blamed another man for the murder, pointing to subtle differences in clothing and mannerisms between her client and the man she contended was the actual killer.</p> <p>Clemens’ last attorney, Andrew Duclair, has said Wells-Holmes’ acquittal was the coup de grâce in prosecutors’ case against Clemens.</p> <p>But Scott refused to drop murder charges against Clemens, and Duclair suggested it was because prosecutors were not pleased with the way he testified in Wells-Holmes’ murder trial.</p> <p>Clemens received immunity to testify against Well-Holmes, but claimed on the stand neither man was involved in Corbett’s murder.</p> Isaac AviluceaTue, 20 Sep 2016 12:48:52 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2016/09/20/suspected-accomplice-nears-deal-in-murder-of-trenton-graffiti-artist/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesNo success in murder trials could impact nomination of Mercer County prosecutorhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2016/05/17/no-success-in-murder-trials-could-impact-nomination-of-mercer-county-prosecutor/<p>Shaheed Brown is shaping up to be the new “Boom Bat” of Mercer County.</p> <p>Brown’s murder case has drawn comparisons to convicted murderer and Latin Kings leader Jose “Boom Bat” Negrete because of the difficulties prosecutors have had trying the cases.</p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2016/05/Shaheed-Brown-050416.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-4177" src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2016/05/Shaheed-Brown-050416-300x228.jpg" alt="Shaheed Brown listens to testimony from State Police Detective Joseph Itri. Gregg Slaboda - The Trentonian" width="300" height="228" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Shaheed Brown listens to testimony from State Police Detective Joseph Itri. Gregg Slaboda - The Trentonian</p> <p>It has also shined a bright light on a spate of mistrials and acquittals that have legal experts debating the way prosecutors try homicide cases in Mercer County and whether a “string of bad luck” could impact the future of Angelo Onofri.<span id="more-4279"></span></p> <p>Onofri may already have an image problem because of close ties to former prosecutor Joseph Bocchini.</p> <p>Weeks after prosecutors packed the courtroom and celebrated the hard-fought conviction of Negrete, news of Bocchini’s alleged sexual harassment overshadowed the win and Onofri’s coronation as top cop.</p> <p>Legal experts say that blaming the lack of success in murder cases on the acting Mercer County prosecutor doesn’t take into consideration other factors. But while experts say the trend is cyclical, they agree the timing of the mistrials and acquittals could be problematic for Onofri as he vies for the nomination from Gov. Chris Christie for Mercer’s top law enforcement position.</p> <p>“The issue is: Are they getting not guilty [verdicts] on cases they should be getting guilty [verdicts] or are they taking tougher cases to trial?” said J.C. Lore III, a law professor at Rutgers University. “I think that is something a governor would want to know.”</p> <p><strong>‘Boom Brown’</strong></p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2015/03/0310_NWS_negrete-jose-0562.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2993 size-medium" src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2015/03/0310_NWS_negrete-jose-0562-300x201.jpg" alt="TRT-L-negrete jose 0560" width="300" height="201" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Jose "Boom Bat" Negrete</p> <p>The Boom Bat case is the last successful murder prosecution for Onofri’s office.</p> <p>Since Negrete was convicted in April 2015 of ordering the execution-style killing of gang queen, Jeri Lynn Dotson, as well as a botched murder attempt on gang turncoat Alex Ruiz, prosecutors have been dealt the following blows:</p> <ul> <li>Keith Wells-Holmes is acquitted in May 2015 of fatally shooting city graffiti artist Andre Corbett.</li> <li>Isiah Greene’s murder trial for allegedly shooting Bloods gang member Quaadir “Ace” Gurley to death in 2013 ends in mistrial in October.</li> <li>Thirteen days later, Brown’s first trial for allegedly shooting Enrico Smalley Jr. to death ends in mistrial.</li> <li>About three months later, a jury for the third time in three months can’t reach a verdict in the murder trial of suspected killers Maurice Skillman and Hykeem Tucker, who are charged with gunning down Mercer County corrections officer Carl Batie.</li> <li>And finally, last week, a jury says it’s deadlocked in Brown’s second murder.</li> </ul> <p>After two failed attempts to convict Brown, legal experts say prosecutors must consider how likely a conviction is in a time where television and radio shows influence everything from the types of evidence jurors expect in criminal trials to their beliefs about the criminal justice system.</p> <p>Further, there are the haunting images from places like Ferguson and Baltimore, which make jurors more skeptical of police officers and fearful of sending someone to prison for life in circumstantial cases like Brown’s where they are asked to believe the word of law enforcement, legal experts say.</p> <p>“I do think 20 years of cops and robbers is going to have some impact on the way people look at cases,” said defense attorney Mark Fury, who represented Boom Bat at his first trial and also represents suspected killer Isiah Greene. “The jury pool comes from the community, and the community is questioning police and prosecutors. The fact they have a badge or title doesn’t make their mouths a prayer book.”</p> <p>Furlong, the garrulous defense attorney who has been practicing law for 40 years, called it the “pissing in the milk effect.”</p> <p>“If you take a 2-year-old kid and stand him along a 2,000-gallon vat of milk and he takes a leak in that milk, it might have an ounce of baby’s urine,” he said. “But when you’re offered a glass, you’re still gonna say, ‘That’s OK. I’ll pass.’ There only needs to be one viral video of a cop dropping a Taser … to contaminate the credibility of police departments nationwide.”</p> <p><strong>Prosecutor responds</strong></p> <p>Speaking generally about the difficulties prosecutors face when trying murder cases, Onofri in a statement cited, among other things, the “CSI effect,” referring to the influence the popular crime-scene television show has had on jurors in Mercer County and elsewhere. He also lauded his staff for commitment to their cases.</p> <p>“This is an issue that is not unique to Mercer County,” he said. “In cases where we have had the ability to speak with jurors after a verdict, jury expectations for forensic evidence based on television and movies, are issues that may come into play. You can also never discount the potential for jury nullification. We have been experiencing witnesses that are reluctant to come forward and/or testify in court.”</p> <p>Onofri would not address whether he believes his possible appointment will be impacted by the four hung juries and an acquittal in the last six murder cases his office has tried since he took over for Bocchini.</p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2015/10/TRT-L-EdwardHeyburn-102715.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3703" src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2015/10/TRT-L-EdwardHeyburn-102715-207x300.jpg" alt="Edward Heyburn" width="207" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Edward Heyburn</p> <p>Brown’s attorney, Edward Heyburn, speaking generally about the climate in Mercer County because of a gag order in his murder case, faulted prosecutors for the recent bout of juror indecision.</p> <p>Touting as an example the criminal cases of Ed Forchion, a marijuana activist known as NJ Weedman who was arrested following a drug raid on his Trenton businesses and for disparaging a city cop, Heyburn said: “The upper echelon of the prosecutor’s office has to go. If you publish this, my concern is if anyone reads this online I might get charged with cyber-bullying.”</p> Isaac AviluceaTue, 17 May 2016 20:12:52 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2016/05/17/no-success-in-murder-trials-could-impact-nomination-of-mercer-county-prosecutor/Carl BatieAndre CorbettEnrico Smalley Jr.Shaheed BrownMaurice SkillmanHykeem TuckerKeith Wells-Holmeshttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/10/28/3705/<p class="p1"><span class="s1">A Trenton man caught up in the 2013 murder of city graffiti artist Andre Corbett pleaded guilty to an unrelated probation violation Wednesday, hoping it would pave the way for him to be released from jail on bail while he awaits trial for murder.</span></p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/09/10922374.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2005" src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/09/10922374-240x300.jpg" alt="Zihqwan Clemens" width="240" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Zihqwan Clemens</p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Zihqwan “Woodiey” Clemens is the lone remaining codefendant of two men charged in connection with Corbett’s broad daylight slaying outside of an apartment complex on Hoffman Avenue and Oakland Street in January 2013. The suspected killer, Keith Wells-Holmes, was acquitted by a jury this year.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">But prosecutors have said they intend to move forward with their case against Clemens, the alleged getaway driver. Clemens’ attorney, Andrew Duclair, said he does not understand prosecutors’ decision not to move forward with the case against his client because there is no evidence of a conspiracy between the men to kill Corbett. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Duclair has said his client, who implicated Wells-Holmes for the murder when he was interviewed by authorities, had no knowledge the murder was going down. It has been hinted that Assistant Prosecutor James Scott is trying Clemens because he was not pleased with the way he testified in Wells-Holmes’ murder trial. </span><span id="more-3705"></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Clemens got on the stand and exonerated Wells-Holmes. Prosecutors contend Clemens lied on the stand but have not said whether they will pursue perjury charges.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">On Wednesday, Clemens pleaded guilty to a probation violation relating to an underlying drug distribution conviction. He had been sentenced by a judge in June 2012 to probation, which included meeting with his probation officer and paying monthly fines.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Clemens admitted he missed some payments and some meetings, leading to the violation. He pleaded guilty to the offense hoping Judge Robert Billmeier will grant him time served when he is sentenced in January. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">The judge has already reduced Clemens’ bail to $250,000 from $1 million in the murder case. But while it is unclear if Clemens can afford to post the bail, he cannot get out of jail until the probation violation is dealt with since he is not constitutionally entitled to bail on a VOP.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Scott said he plans to introduce evidence of text messages and a picture of a handgun that authorities discovered on Clemens’ phone he says shows the Trenton man was still involved in drug dealing even while he was on probation. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Clemens has been in jail for more than two years, awaiting trial on the murder charges. He was arrested in 2013, within days of Corbett’s death, and is hoping the judge opts for a time-served sentence rather than the maximum penalty of five years in state prison.</span></p> Isaac AviluceaWed, 28 Oct 2015 18:25:40 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/10/28/3705/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensProsecutors to co-defendant: No killer, no problemhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/08/14/prosecutors-to-co-defendant-no-killer-no-problem/<a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/09/10922374.jpg"><img src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/09/10922374-150x150.jpg" alt="Zihqwan Clemens" width="150" height="150" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-2005" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Zihqwan Clemens</p> <p>Undeterred following the acquittal of the accused killer, prosecutors are forging ahead with their murder case against Zihqwan Clemens.</p> <p>But in light of the acquittal of former co-defendant and accused killer Keith Wells-Holmes, a judge next week will consider lowering the $1 million bail for Clemens.</p> <p>Clemens, known as “Woodiey,” is accused of driving the getaway vehicle, a gold minivan registered to his girlfriend, in the January 2013 slaying of Trenton graffiti artist Andre Corbett. Prosecutors believe he drove Wells-Holmes to and from the murder scene.</p> <p>In May, Wells-Holmes was found not guilty of gunning down Corbett in broad daylight outside of an apartment complex on the corner of Hoffman Avenue and Oakland Street.</p> <p>Wells-Holmes’ attorney, Caroline Turner, convinced jurors another man was responsible for killing Corbett and that her client was innocent. </p> <p>Following his acquittal, Wells-Holmes agreed do an interview with The Trentonian but backed out when he realized he would not be paid for it. <span id="more-3522"></span></p> <p>Clemens, who has been offered a plea deal of 30 years for murder, appeared Friday before Judge Robert Billmeier for a status hearing. The judge said he would entertain lowering Clemens’ bail at a hearing set for Monday.</p> <p>However, the judge said even if he agrees to release Clemens on his own recognizance, it might be irrelevant since Clemens is also being held for violating probation on a drug charge and is not constitutionally entitled to bail on the VOP. Clemens has been jailed since he was arrested following the Jan. 21, 2013 murder.</p> <p>Clemens had invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in choosing not testify at Well-Holmes’ murder trial. He changed his mind when a judge granted him immunity, protecting him from having his testimony used against him at his trial. </p> <p>Though he had previously implicated his co-defendant as the shooter in a taped interview with authorities, Clemens testified at trial that Wells-Holmes did not kill Corbett. </p> <p>He contended he had been paid $5 to drive Wells-Holmes over to “his people’s house” on Oakland Street sometime on the morning of Jan. 21, 2013. Wells-Holmes went into the house, returning after about 10 minutes. Then Clemens drove him to another part of the city and dropped him off.</p> <p>On the day Corbett was killed, Clemens acknowledged driving around a gold Ford Windstar authorities linked to the murder. But he denied he nor Wells-Holmes were near the murder scene when Corbett was shot.</p> <p>Clemens previously told authorities he heard gunshots and saw Wells-Holmes run back toward his gold van, prosecutors said. </p> <p>A detective testified surveillance footage captured the gold van parked up the street from where Corbett was shot. The van was seized when Clemens was arrested on an outstanding warrant.</p> <p>Clemens had lied to authorities, claiming he did not know the owner of the van, which was registered to his girlfriend, according to testimony.</p> <p>Authorities have said Clemens called Wells-Holmes while he was in police custody, but Clemens disputed that under oath, saying he never called to Wells-Holmes. Cell records showed otherwise.</p> <p>Clemens said the prospect of not seeing his son again influenced his decision to cooperate with authorities and give them information he believed they wanted in order to charge Wells-Holmes for the murder.</p> <p>Despite the jury’s verdict, Assistant Prosecutor James Scott said he was confident Well-Holmes killed Corbett, adding the acquittal would not affect his case against Clemens.</p> Isaac AviluceaFri, 14 Aug 2015 14:54:19 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/08/14/prosecutors-to-co-defendant-no-killer-no-problem/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesNot guilty verdict delivered in Trenton murder trial for 2013 deathhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/27/not-guilty-verdict-delivered-in-trenton-murder-trial-for-2013-death/<p>Keith Wells-Holmes embraced his attorney, thanked her for saving his life and promised to attend college moments after a jury acquitted him of gunning down a Trenton man in 2013 in a brazen broad daylight shooting captured by city surveillance cameras outside the apartment complex.</span></p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-702" src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes-240x300.jpg" alt="Keith Wells Holmes" width="240" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Keith Wells Holmes</p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">A jury deliberated for about six hours over two days before returning the not guilty verdict Wednesday in Mercer County Superior Court to counts of murder and weapons offenses.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Before arriving at their decision, they reviewed footage of Wells-Holmes’ Jan. 21, 2013 visits to a relative’s Oakland Street apartment as well as footage of the shooter unloading multiple rounds on Andre Corbett at point-blank range. Jurors watched several camera angles and asked prosecutors to zoom in on Wells-Holmes and the gunman, looking for discernible differences in their appearance.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">After the jury forewoman read the not guilty verdict aloud in court, Wells-Holmes’ attorney, Caroline Turner, asked the court to order her client released immediately.</span><span id="more-3226"></span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“I always knew he was innocent,” Turner said following the verdict. “Everything I checked out [about his story] came back exactly like he said.”</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">As part of a third-party guilt defense, Turner contended Isiah Greene, who was never charged in Corbett’s slaying but faces murder and attempted murder charges in separate unrelated cases, was the real killer.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Greene’s DNA was found on a cup discovered inside a gold van linked with the murder.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Turner pointed to differences in appearance between her client and the shooter. The state relied on a patchwork of surveillance footage and crucial testimony from a Mercer County detective and convicted felon and admitted drug dealer Michael “Murder Mike” Barnes.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Turner attacked Barnes’ credibility, referring to him as a jailhouse snitch and said he could not be trusted after he came forward with information about Corbett’s killer a year later, when he found himself jailed on a litany of charges.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Turner was convinced the case boiled down to the jury’s attentiveness to essential details, such as clothing and the suspect’s dominant hand. Wells-Holmes is left-handed whereas the suspect shot with his right hand.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Jurors did not hear from Wells-Holmes directly as he chose not to testify in his own defense. But they listened to Wells-Holmes’ taped police interview a second time Wednesday. Wells-Holmes denied any involvement in Corbett’s murder but appeared to trip over himself when detectives pressed him about his whereabouts the day of the murder, when he said he had not visited family on Oakland Street for several days.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Wells-Holmes stammered when detectives told him surveillance captured him on Oakland Street the day of the murder. Turner insisted her client was truthful with authorities and simply mixed up his days.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">His codefendant, Zihqwan “Woodiey” Clemens, was granted immunity to testify in this murder trial and got on the stand and exonerated Wells-Holmes saying neither was around when Corbett was shot.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">It’s unclear how much weight jurors gave to Clemens’ testimony. Most jurors left immediately after the verdict was read and a female juror who was still sitting outside the courthouse steps declined to comment on the verdict.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">While the jury ultimately agreed with Turner’s assertion that prosecutors had the wrong man, Assistant Prosecutor James Scott said the evidence pointed at Wells-Holmes.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“I do think we had the right person,” he said. “We have to respect the jury’s verdict.”</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Scott said the acquittal would not affect prosecutors’ case against Clemens, who is being tried separately. A trial date has not been set for Clemens, who has been offered a 30-year sentence for allegedly driving the getaway car.</span></p> Isaac AviluceaWed, 27 May 2015 18:06:57 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/27/not-guilty-verdict-delivered-in-trenton-murder-trial-for-2013-death/Andre CorbettKeith Wells-HolmesWells-Holmes trial goes to juryhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/27/wells-holmes-trial-goes-to-jury/<a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes.jpg"><img src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes-240x300.jpg" alt="Keith Wells Holmes" width="240" height="300" class="size-medium wp-image-702" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Keith Wells-Holmes</p> <p>A man known on the streets as Blick was having “beef” with some people two days before Trenton graffiti artist Andre Corbett was murdered in January 2013.</p> <p>Blick is actually Isiah Greene, according to testimony in the murder trial of Keith Wells-Holmes. Holmes is charged with gunning down Corbett in broad daylight outside an apartment complex on Hoffman Avenue and Oakland Street.</p> <p>What does Blick’s beef and text messages referencing bullets have to do with the death of Corbett? Everything if you’re defense attorney Caroline Turner, whose theory is premised on a third-party guilt defense that raised the specter Greene killed Corbett. <span id="more-3222"></span></p> <p>For prosecutors, the stray pieces of evidence amounted to nothing more than “speculation,” Assistant Prosecutor James Scott said. He dismissively swept aside the fact Greene’s DNA was found on a cup inside a gold van linked with the slaying during his summation Tuesday.</p> <p>The van belonged to the girlfriend of codefendant Zihqwan “Woodiey” Clemens. Clemens’ girlfriend testified earlier in the trial Greene was known on the streets as Blick; a detective testified he knew Greene by the moniker Blaze.</p> <p>That was one of the many discrepancies that emerged at trial. Jurors were finally handed the case late Tuesday after a judge charged them on the law. They passed a note to the judge asking for playback of footage of the shooting and for enlarged photos of specific articles of clothing the shooter wore at the time Corbett was gunned down. </p> <p>Prosecutors are firm any insinuation they have the wrong man and Greene, who was never charged for Corbett’s death but is jailed on unrelated murder and attempted murder charges, was the killer was unsupported by evidence, which points squarely at Wells-Holmes. </p> <p>Scott also attempted to fill in what Wells-Holmes’ attorney has called glaring holes in the case against her client, suggesting for the first time Wells-Holmes had a reason to kill Corbett. </p> <p>Scott said the motive came from the defendant’s mouth in an interview with police. Wells-Holmes had told detectives he knew Corbett as someone who cracked jokes and would “talk s---.” </p> <p>“A lot of people take that stuff seriously,” Wells-Holmes told detectives in a taped interview that was shown to jurors. </p> <p>Scott said one is left with the impression after viewing silent surveillance footage of the shooting that Wells-Holmes pumped multiple rounds into Corbett at close range after the two allegedly exchange words.</p> <p>“He decided at that minute he was going to kill Andre Corbett,” Scott said.</p> <p>Wells-Holmes’ attorney is insistent her client is innocent and has built her defense on the idea that prosecutors got the wrong man. It’s a phrase she invoked once again in her closing argument while pointing to facts she alluded to at the outset of the trial. </p> <p>She said her left-handed client wore different clothing than the right-handed shooter, was several inches shorter than Greene and had no reason to kill Corbett. </p> <p>Turner also attacked the credibility of the witnesses who testified against her client. </p> <p>“Pictures don’t lie,” she said. “People do.”</p> <p>Turner urged jurors to completely discount the story Clemens gave detectives implicating Wells-Holmes as the shooter. Turner did not even seize on Clemens’ testimony under oath exonerating her client of the murder because she said doing so would be disingenuous.</p> <p>“I would like to cherry pick a couple of the things he said and call them reliable but that would be dishonest of me,” she said. “False in one, false in all. He lied about everything.”</p> <p>Turner then turned her sights on Michael Barnes, known as “Murder Mike.” </p> <p>The convicted felon and admitted drug dealer told jurors he saw Corbett’s killer and was “100 percent” it was a man he recognized as “Zeek’s cousin.” Wells-Holmes had a family member named Zeek who lived on Oakland Street. Barnes said Well-Holmes frequently visited.</p> <p>Barnes stepped forward with information about the alleged shooter a year after the murder. He cut a deal with prosecutors to resolve charges of aggravated assault, weapons offenses and resisting for probation and truthful testimony. </p> <p>Turner suggested Barnes was anything but truthful. She said his vantage point was obscured and he would have had a hard time identifying the shooter out of a small glass slit in the window, especially while he was preoccupied looking out for police because he was dealing crack cocaine.</p> <p>“Are we really going to believe the word of a jailhouse snitch?” she said. “You can’t believe a word that Murder Mike says. The state is actually pretty desperate to get this conviction if it’s using Murder Mike as its star witness.”</p> Penny RayWed, 27 May 2015 11:42:05 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/27/wells-holmes-trial-goes-to-jury/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesTrenton murder trial marked with drama, uncommon proceedings in fifth dayhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/20/trenton-murder-trial-marked-with-drama-uncommon-proceedings-in-fifth-day/<p>Bleary eyed attorneys walked out of court Wednesday following</span></p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-702" src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes-240x300.jpg" alt="Keith Wells Holmes" width="240" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Keith Wells Holmes</p> <p class="p3"><span class="s3">an exhausting, drama-filled day in the murder trial of Keith Wells-Holmes that required them to work through part of their lunch hour.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Tempers flared as a judge wagged his finger at a defense attorney. Witnesses invoked their constitutional rights to avoid self-incrimination. And Wells-Holmes’ codefendant, who is being tried separately,<a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/20/alleged-getaway-driver-grated-immunity-to-testify-at-trenton-murder-trial/"> was granted immunity by a judge to testify</a> against Wells-Holmes but ended up exonerating him for the first time in front of the jury.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">An attorney who shall remain nameless apprised by multiple people who participated in and sat in on the trial Wednesday said everyone candidly described the proceedings the same way: “S--t show.”</span><span id="more-3217"></span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Most of it happened outside the presence of the jury, which was sequestered away in the deliberation room while attorneys from both sides hammered numerous legal obstacles.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">It remains to be seen whether a jury believes alleged getaway driver Zihqwan Clemens’ testimony as attorneys from both sides agree he has credibility issues and repeatedly lied to authorities in a Jan. 23, 2013 interview two days after Trenton graffiti artist Andre Corbett was gunned down outside an apartment complex on the corner of Hoffman Avenue and Oakland Street.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens, who is known as “Woodiey,” initially took the stand at a hearing outside the jury’s presence and repeatedly responded to prosecutors’ questions by invoking his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens has been offered a plea deal calling for a 30-year sentence for his alleged role in the murder, prosecutors have said. Prosecutors believe he drove Wells-Holmes to and from the murder scene.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">After a judge granted Clemens immunity, which protected him from having his</span></p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/09/10922374.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2005" src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2014/09/10922374-240x300.jpg" alt="Zihqwan Clemens" width="240" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Zihqwan Clemens</p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">testimony used against him at his trial, he testified Wells-Holmes paid him $5 to drive him over to “his people’s house” on Oakland Street sometime on the morning of Jan. 21, 2013. He said Wells-Holmes went into the house, returned after about 10 minutes and he drove him to another part of the city and dropped him off.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens was asked directly if Wells-Holmes killed Corbett and responded that he did not, which conflicted with a prior taped statement he gave to authorities where he identified Wells-Holmes as the shooter. He was not asked whether he knew the true identity of the shooter if it was not Wells-Holmes.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Assistant Prosecutor James Scott focused on Clemens’ interview with authorities on his direct examination.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens acknowledged on the day Corbett was killed he was driving around a gold Ford Windstar authorities say was linked to the murder. But he disputed being anywhere near the murder scene at the time Corbett was shot.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">That contradicted with what he told police during his interview, which could be played for jurors later this week. Turner has asked that jurors watch Clemens’ entire five-hour interview so they can get a flavor for his repeated lies, which the defense attorney went over one by one during her cross examination.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens acknowledged he initially lied to authorities when he claimed he did not know the owner of the van. The van was registered to his girlfriend, according to testimony.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Those lies were at the center of a Gross hearing earlier in the day as attorneys were saddled with figuring out how to reconcile Clemens’ testimony with his past statement to law enforcement.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens had previously admitted hearing gunshots and seeing Wells-Holmes run back toward his van, prosecutors said. A detective testified earlier in the trial the van was seen on surveillance parked up the street from where Corbett was shot. Authorities seized the van the same day they arrested Clemens on an outstanding warrant.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens said he had not been truthful with authorities during his interview and agreed with Turner’s assertion that he “threw [Wells-Holmes] under the bus” after detectives told him Wells-Holmes had possibly implicated him as the shooter.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens said he was told at some point in his interview with detectives that they had Wells-Holmes in custody. A Mercer County detective has testified Clemens had called Wells-Holmes while he was in police custody.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens denied under oath ever placing a phone call to Wells-Holmes.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens said detectives brought up his then-3-year-old son and told him that whether he saw him again depended on if he cooperated with their investigation. Clemens said the possibility of not seeing his son again made him “sad,” and he agreed with Turner’s assertion that he gave detectives information he believed they wanted so they could charge Wells-Holmes for the murder.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Clemens’ testimony followed hours of delays in testimony as court officials determined whether witnesses Isiah Greene and Marquise Risher would testify.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Greene and Risher’s DNA was found on cans found inside the gold van.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Greene, who faces unrelated murder and attempted murder charges, invoked his Fifth Amendment right to not incriminate himself. Risher testified in front of the jury but nothing substantial came from his testimony.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Turner has hinted that Greene was a more likely suspect in Corbett’s murder and has asked questions of witnesses that make it plausible she will formally accuse Greene of the murder as part of a third-party guilt defense. Turner, however, has declined to reveal her legal strategy. She would not say whether he client will testify.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Getting anyone to testify in this trial has proved a difficult task for prosecutors.</span></p> <p class="p4"><span class="s3">Acting Prosecutor Angelo Onofri had to meet with state Attorney General John Hoffman, who ultimately signed off on prosecutors’ request for immunity for Clemens. Immunity is rarely extended to witnesses, and Scott said he could not remember a time before Wednesday where he had been authorized to make such an offer.</span></p> Isaac AviluceaWed, 20 May 2015 18:51:34 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/20/trenton-murder-trial-marked-with-drama-uncommon-proceedings-in-fifth-day/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesAlleged getaway driver granted immunity to testify at Trenton murder trialhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/20/alleged-getaway-driver-grated-immunity-to-testify-at-trenton-murder-trial/<p>The alleged getaway driver of Keith Wells-Holmes has been</p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-702" src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes-240x300.jpg" alt="Keith Wells Holmes" width="240" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Keith Wells Holmes</p> <p>granted immunity to testify in Wells-Holmes' murder trial, a rare move that required permission from the state Attorney General's Office, prosecutors said.</p> <p>Zihqwan Clemens took the stand at a hearing outside the jury’s presence <span data-term="goog_1328807620">Wednesday</span> morning and repeatedly responded to prosecutors’ questions by invoking his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself.</p> <p>Clemens is accused of driving a gold Ford Windstar van on the day of Trenton graffiti artist Andre Corbett was gunned down outside an apartment complex on the corner of Hoffman Avenue and Oakland Street. He has been offered a plea deal calling for a 30-year sentence for his alleged role in the murder, prosecutors have said.<span id="more-3211"></span></p> <p>Information relayed to 911 dispatchers was that the shooter got into a similar van with temporary tags, prosecutors have said. The van was registered to Clemens’ girlfriend, according to testimony.</p> <p>Clemens initially refused to respond to prosecutors’ questions until he was granted immunity. He did respond to certain questions from defense attorney Caroline Turner before immunity was extended to him, and his answers appeared to exonerate Wells-Holmes for the murder.</p> <p>Turner asked the witness if he realized jurors would likely be played portions of his interview with police two days after Corbett was shot to death.</p> <p>Clemens implicated his codefendant as the shooter during that five-hour interview with police, prosecutors have said. But Clemens said Wedn<span data-term="goog_1328807621">esday</span> for the first time he had not been truthful with investigators.</p> <p>He paused and looked at his attorney for guidance when he was asked directly if Wells-Holmes killed Corbett. Turner said she would rephrase her question.</p> <p>“That you know of did Keith Wells-Holmes kill Andre Corbett?”</p> <p>“No,” Clemens said.</p> <p>“You said your statement was lies,” Turner asked.</p> <p>“Yes,” Clemens responded.</p> <p>“Do you know for a fact that Keith Wells-Holmes did not kill Andre Corbett?” Turner asked.</p> <p>“I would like to assert my Fifth Amendment right,” Clemens said.</p> <p>After Turner finished questioning the witness, Assistant Prosecutor James Scott asked the court to grant Clemens immunity to testify. Judge Robert Billmeier granted immunity, which protects Clemens from being prosecuted for anything he says on the stand.</p> <p>Clemens is being tried separately from Wells-Holmes, but prosecutors cannot use any of his testimony at his own trial, according to the order. The immunity order does not cover Clemens if prosecutors can prove he perjured himself on the stand or provided false swearing, Scott said.</p> <p>Immunity is rarely granted, Scott said, and prosecutors needed permission from state Attorney General John Hoffman for the immunity order. Acting Prosecutor Angelo Onofri requested the immunity order on behalf of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Scott said.</p> <p>The trial resumes this afternoon.</p> <p>Check back later for an updated version of this story.</p> Isaac AviluceaWed, 20 May 2015 13:55:59 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/20/alleged-getaway-driver-grated-immunity-to-testify-at-trenton-murder-trial/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesDrug dealer testifies that suspect shot, killed graffiti artisthttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/20/drug-dealer-testifies-that-suspect-shot-killed-graffiti-artist/<p>Admitted drug dealer and convicted felon Michael Barnes said on the stand Tuesday he planned to disregard prosecutors’ subpoena to testify in the murder trial of a Trenton man accused of gunning down city graffiti artist <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/andre-corbett/">Andre Corbett</a>.</p> <p>He testified that he decided against absconding after friends told him he was mentioned in newspaper articles in which the attorney for defendant <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/keith-wells-holmes/">Keith Wells-Holmes</a> attacked Barnes’ credibility and referred to him as a “workhouse snitch.”<br /> <span id="more-3209"></span><br /> “I got your memo in the newspaper,” Barnes told defense attorney Caroline Turner. “I was gonna run from the truth. I wasn’t going to come to the subpoena.”</p> <p>Barnes, apparently anticipating the defense’s unflattering portrayal of him as a man looking to cash in a bargaining chip with prosecutors, added he would spend significant time behind bars if it brought back Corbett, a man he knew for more than a decade.</p> <p>Turner noted in her cross examination Barnes referred to the victim as a “crackhead,” which she contends is what Barnes really thought of Corbett. Turner said Barnes did not bother to step forward with information about Corbett’s killer until a year after the murder, when he found himself jailed on a litany of criminal charges.</p> <p>Sometimes derisive and sometimes deadpan, Barnes fought back against Turner’s sardonic wit, which was more biting than an English lemon tart. During one testy exchange, Turner accused the witness of “getting smart” with her; she was immediately cut off and scolded by Judge Robert Billmeier.</p> <p>Sometimes it was unclear whether the man known as on the streets as “Murder Mike,” from his time in the Sex, Money, Murder sect of the Bloods street gang, was truly oblivious or simply putting on a Broadway-like show for the jury.</p> <p>For example, when Turner asked him whether he enjoyed his time in jail, Barnes responded that it was “all right.” Turner pressed him up about myriad diseases one could contract behind bars.</p> <p>“I’m straight,” Barnes responded, pointing out his sexual orientation for jurors.</p> <p>His richest callout of Turner, however, sounded like a bit of grandstanding considering he claimed he was willing to jeopardize the deal he had cut with prosecutors for probation to resolve charges of aggravated assault, resisting and weapons offenses.</p> <p>In truth, Barnes wasn’t on the stand to talk about the crimes he has committed over the years. He was there to point the finger, literally, at Wells-Homes for Corbett’s murder.</p> <p>When Assistant Prosecutor James Scott asked the witness who killed Corbett, Barnes responded emphatically.</p> <p>“Him,” he said, pointing toward Wells-Holmes. “I’m 100 percent sure.”</p> <p>Barnes lived at the Oakland Street apartment complex where Corbett was shot. He said he was near a glass-plated door of one of the apartment units staring out at Hoffman Avenue scanning for police because he was dealing drugs at the time of the shooting.</p> <p>He turned in the direction of the shots and caught a glimpse of the killer’s face, which was obscured by a dark cone-shaped hoodie that was rolled back. He recognized the man as “Zeek’s cousin.” Zeek lived a few doors down from him, Barnes said, and the defendant regularly visited.</p> <p>Barnes said he and Wells-Holmes had even played Oak, a basketball game similar to 21. Barnes said Wells-Holmes would “go up strong” with his left hand – in contrast with the right-handed shooter -- during the game he described as “every man for himself.”</p> <p>“That’s what it appears to be here, right?” Turner shot back. “Every man for himself?”</p> <p>Scott loudly objected to the question, and the attorneys were immediately roped into sidebar by the judge.</p> <p>Turner spent the bulk of her cross examination of Barnes going over his rap sheet, which includes convictions for theft and an arrest for weapons trafficking.</p> <p>Barnes was one of several people charged in 2012 as part of Operation Gravedigger, an investigation by state and city police into weapon sales near funeral homes. Barnes admitted selling a handgun.</p> <p>“I’m no angel,” he said.</p> Isaac AviluceaWed, 20 May 2015 12:56:57 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/20/drug-dealer-testifies-that-suspect-shot-killed-graffiti-artist/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesKey witnesses expected to testify about Corbett murder this weekhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/18/key-witnesses-expected-to-testify-about-corbett-murder-this-week/<a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes.jpg"><img src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes-240x300.jpg" alt="Keith Wells Holmes" width="240" height="300" class="size-medium wp-image-702" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Keith Wells Holmes</p> <p>The murder case against <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/keith-wells-holmes/">Keith Wells-Holmes</a> appears to rely centrally on video surveillance and the word of a Mercer County detective.</p> <p>Absent a clear-cut motive and the murder weapon, a 9 mm luger which was never recovered, prosecutors could be looking to Wells-Holmes’ alleged getaway driver, <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/zihqwan-clemens/">Zihqwan “Woody” Clemens</a>, and a jailhouse informant known on the streets as “Murder Mike” to bolster their case against the man they believed killed Trenton graffiti artist <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/andre-corbett/">Andre Corbett</a>. </p> <p>The two could testify later this week, prosecutors said as trial wrapped up for the day Monday. </p> <p>“Murder Mike’s” government name is Michael Barnes, a man with a felonious past who prosecutors say is free these days. It’s unclear how he secured that freedom, but Assistant Prosecutor James Scott said any agreement Barnes’ has with the state regarding his cooperation was turned over to Wells-Holmes’ attorney, Caroline Turner.</p> <p>Scott also told the court there was an unspecified issue with Barnes’ potential testimony he did not want to address in the presence of Wells-Holmes but he had informed the defendant’s attorney about it. Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier did not inquire further. </p> <p>Clemens is an unknown in this trial. As recently as last October, he had indicated to the court he wanted to be tried alongside Wells-Holmes. He was severed after the judge ruled having the defendants tried together posed significant legal hurdles.</p> <p>It’s unclear what he would say or be allowed to say if he took the stand. </p> <p>Other potential state witnesses include Isiah Greene, who is incarcerated on unrelated murder and attempted murder charges; and Marquise Risher, who is also jailed on drug charges.</p> <p>Scott said Greene, Risher and Clemens would have to testify at a hearing outside the jury’s presence, tentatively slated for Wednesday, before they took the stand in front of jurors.</p> <p>Turner’s defense that her client is innocent could come down to pivotal cross examinations of the three men, assuming they testify. She hinted at the state’s reliance on unsavory people in a strong opening statement in contending two of them – Risher and Greene – were inside a gold-colored van linked with the slaying and captured on surveillance frequenting a grocery mart near the murder on the same day Corbett was killed. Since then, she has contended police did not do their due diligence in examining whether one was a more likely suspect and has accused investigators of focusing on her client early on and not following other leads. </p> <p>Turner spent most of Monday morning cross-examining Bryan Cottrell, a lead detective in the murder case and one of the state’s central witnesses. He is expected to be recalled to the witness stand later this week to provide additional testimony, although it’s unclear what that testimony will focus on this time around.</p> <p>Now-retired Trenton Police crime detective Robert Paccillo also took the stand and told the jury he recovered five spent shell casings from a 9 mm luger used in Corbett’s murder. Investigators never recovered the handgun, prosecutors said.</p> <p>The weapon the damage did was put into context by county medical examiner, Dr. Raafat Ahmad, who testified Corbett succumbed to injuries he sustained after he was shot four times.</p> <p>Jurors were shown graphic autopsy photos depicting gunshot wounds to Corbett’s chest and other areas. A family member stepped out of the courtroom when the photos were put up on an overhead projector.</p> <p>Ahmad said a spent bullet was recovered in the victim’s clothing during the autopsy. Another struck and fractured Corbett’s jaw, passing through his mouth before exiting behind his left ear. Corbett’s lungs were pierced by rounds, and he choked on his own blood while he lay dying on the blood-stained pavement while another man callously stepped over him and others gathered around his body.</p> Penny RayMon, 18 May 2015 21:30:14 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/18/key-witnesses-expected-to-testify-about-corbett-murder-this-week/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesLawyer claims police have ‘wrong man’ for 2013 Trenton murder of Andre Corbetthttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/14/lawyer-claims-police-have-wrong-man-for-2013-trenton-murder-of-andre-corbett/<p>Defense attorneys usually operate in an arena of reasonable doubt, a high hurdle prosecutors must meet in order to convince a jury to convict someone accused of a crime.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Reasonable doubt should not be confused with doubtless, which is what separates Caroline Turner from most defense attorneys.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">During opening statements Thursday in the murder trial of <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/keith-wells-holmes/">Keith Wells-Holmes</a>,</span></p> <a href="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-702" src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/trenton/files/2013/01/Keith-Wells-Holmes-240x300.jpg" alt="Keith Wells Holmes" width="240" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Keith Wells Holmes</p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Turner left no doubt in the minds of jurors she is firmly convinced her client is innocent of fatally shooting 35-year-old <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/andre-corbett/">Andre Corbett</a> in broad daylight Jan. 21, 2013, in front on an apartment complex on Hoffman Avenue and Oakland Street.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“They got the wrong man,” Turner said. She repeated this several times, highlighting what she said are distinct differences in articles of clothing between the shooter and her client. She said the shooter was wearing black pants compared with Wells-Holmes’ blue pants. The shooter’s hoodie, while the same color of Wells-Holmes, was fitted; her client’s was baggy.</span><span id="more-3196"></span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">The shooter was right-handed; her client is left handed, which she said is supported by a recorded interview with police in which she says Wells-Holmes signs a form waiving his Miranda rights with his left hand.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Despite all this, detectives are convinced they picked up the right man, based on surveillance capturing a black man with a dark-colored hoodie, jeans and gray sneakers pumping multiple rounds into Corbett from a close distance then fleeing in the direction he came. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Bryan Cottrell, a detective in the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, testified he viewed surveillance of a man he believed to be Wells-Holmes getting in and out of a gold-colored van with temporary plates hours before the murder.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">A description of a similar van was broadcast to police within minutes of the shooting, Cottrell said.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Corbett was shot at at least five times, hit four, including once in the head. He could be seen on surveillance shown to jurors rolling around on the ground. Another man is seen on the tape stepping over Corbett but he does not offer help. A crowd eventually gathers around Corbett’s lifeless body.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Assistant Prosecutor Michael Grillo’s opening statement was as firm and succinct as that of his adversary.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“He brazenly shot him more than four times from an arm’s length away,” Grillo said of the Wells-Holmes, who is being tried separately from co-defendant and suspected getaway driver <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/zihqwan-clemens/">Zihqwan “Woody” Clemens</a>, 24.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Clemens remains the “wild card” in this trial. He is on the witness list, and prosecutors have offered him a plea deal that calls for a 30-year sentence for his role in Corbett’s murder. But it is unclear whether he will accept the deal and testify against Wells-Holmes.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Wells-Holmes, dressed in a brown suit, appeared calm and relaxed on the opening day of his murder trial, sipping from a cup filled with water. That contrasted with his recorded interview with police a day after the murder, which was shown to the jury.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Wells-Holmes initially appeared at ease with detectives, bragging about clothes he had just purchased two days prior, including a pair of flashy Deion Sanders’ Nike sneakers. But he became leery of detectives when they pressed him on his whereabouts the day of Corbett’s murder. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Detectives asked him when the last time he visited family who lived blocks from the murder. Wells-Holmes initially responded he had visited family Sunday, Jan. 20, the same day he purchased clothes including blue Levi jeans and a dark-colored hoodie – the same clothes he had on during his interview.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Now-retired Trenton Police Detective Edgar Rios shot back.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“We seen you over there yesterday,” he said, referring to Jan. 21, 2013.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Wells-Holmes stammered.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“I don’t really remember,” he said, adding that he had hitched a ride to the area at some point from an acquaintance he knew only as “Woody.” Cottrell testified he immediately recognized the nickname “Woody” as Clemens from past experience.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Turner explained earlier in the day her client “muddled up” his days.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">In the video, Wells-Holmes accused detectives of trying to “trick me up” with their questions and subsequently cut off the interview and told detectives he did not want to answer any more questions.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“I don’t have nothing to do with nothing,” Wells-Holmes said.</span></p> Isaac AviluceaThu, 14 May 2015 18:16:46 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2015/05/14/lawyer-claims-police-have-wrong-man-for-2013-trenton-murder-of-andre-corbett/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesClemens and Wells-Holmes asking to be tried together in courthttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/10/08/clemens-and-wells-holmes-asking-to-be-tried-together-in-court/<p>A suspected murder accomplice is insisting on going to trial with the gunman charged in the shooting death of <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/andre-corbett/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/andre-corbett/', 'Andre Corbett']);" >Andre Corbett</a> in January 2013.</p> <p>The prosecutor and Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier said trying <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/zihqwan-clemens/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/zihqwan-clemens/', 'Zihqwan Clemens']);" >Zihqwan Clemens</a>, who is charged as the getaway driver, at the same time as alleged triggerman <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/keith-wells-holmes/" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article-int', 'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/keith-wells-holmes/', 'Keith Wells-Holmes']);" >Keith Wells-Holmes</a> could pose judicial problems. <span id="more-2042"></span></p> <p>Billmeier and Assistant Mercer Prosecutor Tom Meidt said such a trial is fraught with the problem of conflicting suspect statements and seems a set up to create avenues for appeal.</p> <p>Clemens, who is being represented by lawyer George Somers, last month was offered 30 years in prison for his guilty plea to being the getaway driver the day Holmes allegedly shot Corbett to death in the street.</p> <p>Billmeier again warned him Monday that if he goes to trial and gets convicted he could get up to 75 years in prison at sentencing. But Clemens elected to roll the dice.</p> <p>Billmeier asked the opposing lawyers to submit legal arguments to him about why the suspects should or should not be tried together.</p> <p>If the case goes to trial, it will make for a busy 2015 for Meidt, who already has the retrial of alleged killer gang leader Carlos Negrete set for February.</p> Paul MickleWed, 08 Oct 2014 18:52:19 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/10/08/clemens-and-wells-holmes-asking-to-be-tried-together-in-court/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesAlleged getaway driver offered 30-year sentence in Andre Corbett murder casehttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/09/11/alleged-getaway-driver-offered-30-year-sentence-in-andre-corbett-murder-case/<p>Zihqwan Clemens was offered 30 years in prison Wednesday for his alleged role as getaway driver in the shooting murder of father of 10 Andre Corbett in January 2013.</p> <p>Assistant Mercer County Prosecutor Tom Meidt said authorities have video and eyewitness evidence linking Clemons, 25, and the suspected triggerman, 23-year-old Keith Wells-Holmes. <span id="more-2001"></span></p> <p>He allegedly met the victim on Oakland Street and walked briefly with him before turning and firing a handgun at Corbett five times, including while he already was on the ground.</p> <p>The victim’s mother, Theresa Corbett, cried softly when Meidt brought out the details at a hearing before Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier. She said Andre Corbett had several grandchildren by age 35 and that he was expecting another grandchild when slain at 3 in the afternoon on Jan. 21, 2013.</p> <p>Billmeier, as he often has to from the bench, warned the suspect that he faces up to 75 years if found guilty as an accessory to the murder at trial. </p> <p>Clemons, who appeared in court in an orange prison jumpsuit and shackles, was represented by lawyer George Somers, who made no comment on Meidt’s 30-year offer.</p> <p>After the proceedings, Corbett met the suspect’s mother in the courthouse hallway and they expressed condolences to each other with a hug.</p> <p>“She’s lost a son, too,” said Corbett. “But at least hers is alive.”</p> Paul MickleThu, 11 Sep 2014 08:44:09 -0400http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/09/11/alleged-getaway-driver-offered-30-year-sentence-in-andre-corbett-murder-case/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesSuspects indicted in connection with Andre Corbett murderhttp://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/01/30/suspects-indicted-in-connection-with-andre-corbett-murder/<p>Two men were indicted Wednesday in connection with the shooting death of 35-year-old <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/victims/andre-corbett/" >Andre Corbett</a>.</p> <p>Around 3 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2013, Corbett was gunned down in the 100 block of Oakland Street. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. </p> <p>Court documents state that the entire incident was captured by surveillance video. And within a couple days of the shooting, <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/keith-wells-holmes/" >Keith Wells-Holmes</a>, 21, and <a href="http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/suspects/zihqwan-clemens/" >Zihqwan Clemens</a>, 23, were arrested and charged in connection with Corbett’s death.<br /> <span id="more-1364"></span><br /> On Wednesday, a Mercer County grand jury indicted both suspects on one count of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun. Clemens was also indicted on four narcotics charges in connection with heroin that was allegedly seized from his residence during the course of the murder investigation.</p> <p>Court documents in the case allege that Wells-Holmes shot Corbett while standing outside an apartment complex near the corner of Hoffman Avenue and Oakland Street. And Clemens allegedly acted as a getaway driver, documents state. </p> <p>Both suspects remain held on $1 million bail.</p> Penny RayThu, 30 Jan 2014 19:22:15 -0500http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2014/01/30/suspects-indicted-in-connection-with-andre-corbett-murder/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-HolmesComment of the Day: 'Restore integrity in our community'http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2013/02/07/comment-of-the-day-restore-integrity-in-our-community/<p>Today's comment of the day come from our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HomicideWatchTrenton" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.facebook.com']);">Facebook page</a>, where a passionate discussion developed over the case of Andre Corbett's killing, including comments from supporters of both the victim and the accused.<br /> In that thread, Trenton community activist Darren "Freedom" Green stepped in to leave a thoughtful response. </p> <blockquote><p>"Our health begins in our HOMES-restoring order, pride, love, and discipline in OUR BABIES," Green wrote. "If everyone simply does that, we get better overnight through application. Second we have to make EDUCATION our number one focus, Our Babies kill and die in the streets for many reasons-EDUCATION is one of them. EDUCATED people don't say dumb things like STOP SNITCHING when people are murdered. We have to restore INTEGRITY in our community, reporting wrong, standing up for each other, and working with police to remove CRIMINALS. We should be tired of hanging sheets, tired of lighting dam candles, tired of pouring out liquor-it's time to clean up block by block. Our now and future DEPENDS on US-we can shine and grow, or keep dying and staying "low". Peace!"</p></blockquote> Joe D'AquilaThu, 07 Feb 2013 17:42:59 -0500http://trenton.homicidewatch.org/2013/02/07/comment-of-the-day-restore-integrity-in-our-community/Andre CorbettZihqwan ClemensKeith Wells-Holmes