30 shell casings and an AR-style rifle: Missouri jury convicts 2 brothers of murder
Two brothers were found guilty of murder this week in connection to a double-homicide that occurred nearly four years ago in Kansas City, court records show.
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Prosecutors announced that a Jackson County jury on Tuesday found Marques Smith, 24, and Marquan Smith, 22, each guilty of two counts of second degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.
The brothers were accused in the fatal shootings of two men, Leerick Kelley and Montez Mack, on Nov. 22, 2022.
When they were first charged with the crimes, Marques Smith was 20-years-old and Marquan Smith was 18-years-old.
Kansas City double homicide
Kansas City police officers were dispatched around 1 p.m. Nov. 22, 2022, to the intersection of 28th Street and Prospect Avenue for a reported shooting.
When they arrived, officers found two gunshot victims unresponsive, just west of the intersection, a police spokesperson said. Paramedics responded and pronounced the men dead at the scene.
Witnesses told police they saw the shooters run east from the scene and jump fences through backyards along Lockridge Avenue.
According to court documents, an officer spotted the elder Smith brother running behind a residence, and the younger brother was later found running in the same yard while holding an AR-style rifle. The two brothers were arrested near that residence.
Surveillance footage & evidence
Police reviewed surveillance footage in the area, which showed the two gunshot victims walking, then appear startled, according to court records. One of the victims returned fire as they crossed the street, another was seen falling down.
Police said surveillance video showed one of the shooters chase down and fire at one of the victims, then both suspects were seen climbing privacy fences along Lockridge Avenue, according to court documents.
Investigators found 30 shell casings at the scene.
The younger Smith brother declined to talk to detectives after his arrest. The older brother, Marques Smith, said in an interview with detectives that they were dropped off from work at 29th Street and Indiana Avenue minutes before police officers were seen in the area, according to court records.
After the jury found both brothers guilty of the crimes on Tuesday, it also returned a recommended sentence.
The jury recommended for both defendants 15 years in prison for each count of second-degree murder, 10 years in prison for each count of armed criminal action and 15 years in prison for unlawful use of a weapon.
Court records show a sentencing hearing for the two brothers is scheduled for 3 p.m. Dec. 11.
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Reporting by Bill Lukitsch contributed.
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