‘It Was Kill or Be Killed,’ Defense Says in Murder Trial Focused on ‘1800 Boys’ Gang

By Andrew Michaels - April 23, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A prosecutor from the Maryland Attorney General’s office forewarned jurors in the case of Dayvonta Mackey that the 29-year-old member of the ‘1800 Boys’ drug trafficking organization shot and killed Marquis Carter over drug territory—information they should expect to hear from Mackey himself over the course of the trial.

After a day of jury selection, Mackey’s trial began with opening statements on April 23 as he faces charges for Carter’s brutal murder and his alleged role in the Baltimore City gang. Mackey is represented by defense attorneys Benjamin Charlton and Amanda Savage, with Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy presiding.

On Tuesday morning, the prosecutor told the jury that Mackey walked up to Carter and shot the victim in the head in an alleyway on the 1800 block of Wilkens Avenue on Nov. 3, 2022. Mackey was working as a street-level dealer for the organization, which she said distributed drugs to recreational users as well as wholesalers.

Mackey, who was one of nine members to be indicted for their gang participation, was working the area when he shot Carter and then ran into one of the organization’s stash houses before leaving the scene in a vehicle, according to the prosecution.

At trial, the jury will see video of the shooting in addition to hearing testimony from a Baltimore City patrol officer and detective, medical examiner and DEA agent.

“Mr. Mackey tells investigators that dead men can’t talk,” she said, claiming the defendant told detectives that “this homicide was over drug territory.”

During his opening statement, Charlton asked the jury to focus on why the shooting happened as opposed to what happened.

“Mr. Mackey intentionally killed Mr. Carter,” he said. “…There’s no question about what happened.”

However, he continued, this was a moment of “killed or be killed.” Although the video will show what happened, Charlton added, there is no evidence connecting Mackey to the drug organization.

Testimony began Tuesday morning and is expected to continue on April 24.