Gang member found guilty in shooting over colors
Sue Lindsay, Rocky Mountain News
Published January 31, 2007 at midnight
Gang member Lamar Blackwell was convicted late Tuesday of first-degree murder and menacing in a fatal shooting in a 16th Street Mall parking lot last April.
Denver prosecutors said Blackwell shot Jerome Martin because he disrespected Blackwell’s gang, stepped on his shoes and was wearing a red or maroon shirt associated with the rival Bloods gang.
"The color of his hat and shirt is why he lost his life," prosecutor Joe Morales said.
Martin, 22, was shot repeatedly in the back just after leaving a hip-hop party at Club Beyond on April 5.
"He shoots bullet after bullet after bullet into the back of Jerome Martin like a coward," Morales said during closing arguments in Denver District Court.
The defense contended that Blackwell simply fired shots into the air and someone else killed Martin.
The jury deliberated about three hours before reaching a verdict.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 19.
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