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Key Witness Takes Stand In Mattapan Murders Trial

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The prosecution's key witness in a quadruple murder in Mattapan will be back on the stand in Suffolk Superior Court Wednesday.

Defense attorneys are expected to cross-examine Kimani Washington in the trial of two men charged in the shooting of five people in September 2010. Four of the victims died, including a young mother and her 2-year-old son. He agreed to testify against his cousin, Edward Washington, and co-defendant Dwayne Moore in exchange for a plea deal.

On Tuesday, Kimani Washington told jurors he played a large role in planning the robbery that led to the murders. He testified that he asked his cousin for help getting a gun for a robbery he had planned with Moore. Kimani Washington, a convicted criminal, met Moore in jail years ago.

Kimani Washington told the courtroom he specifically targeted drug dealers for robberies and that he was complaining about the lack of "good targets" when Moore told him he knew of a house on Sutton Street. He went on to testify that he and the two defendants went to the house in Mattapan to steal marijuana, crack cocaine and cash.

"Because they play the same game that I play," Kimani Washington said. "That the police were the enemy that the object was to get over on the law, or the system. We all felt that that was our way of living — get money any way we can."

During the testimony, Kimani Washington claimed that he left the scene before the victims were fatally shot. A fifth victim, Marcus Hurd, survived the shooting, but was severely wounded.

Kimani Washington was the first person arrested in the case. He was found with Hurd's rental car.

Kimani Washington, who admitted hiding two guns inside his mother's house, is charged with armed robbery and home invasion, among other counts. He is testifying in a deal for a sentence of 16 to 18 years in prison.

The defendants, Moore and Edward Washington, are charged with the same counts in addition to first-degree murder. If convicted they could face life in prison without parole.

Defense attorneys say Kimani Washington is lying in order to get a reduced sentence.

This story was updated Feb. 22 with WBUR Morning Edition feature content.

This article was originally published on February 21, 2012.

This program aired on February 21, 2012.

Headshot of Delores Handy

Delores Handy Reporter
Delores Handy was formerly a host and reporter at WBUR.

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