Dramatic testimony from alleged fellow gang member in Ezeka murder trial

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The murder trial of Joshua Ezeka, who is accused of shooting and killing Birdell Beeks in 2016, resumed with dramatic testimony Thursday.
    
Freddy Scott testified against his alleged fellow gang member Joshua Ezeka. The defense pointed out Scott got a plea deal in exchange for his testimony.

Prosecutors say on May 26 of 2016, Scott called Ezeka to let him know a rival gang member, known as “Sto”, was heading his way and entering an area he shouldn’t be in. Scott testified to this in court on Thursday.

Scott said gang members only shoot to kill not scare as the defense claims Ezeka was doing that day. Ezeka’s defense team has argued that he never intended to kill anyone, therefore, first degree murder wouldn’t apply. 

Meanwhile, there have been claims that Ezeka wasn’t even in a gang. However, prosecutors entered Facebook photos as evidence. One shows Ezeka wearing a white T-shirt with a logo that police said stands for the “Lo’s”, a gang which operates on the north side. A second picture was entered with a police sergeant saying it’s Ezeka throwing a gang sign. Scott also testified Ezeka is a member of the “Lo’s.” Scott says he figured when he told Ezeka the rival gang member was heading his way, he would in fact kill him. 

That bullet allegedly intended for the gang member, ended up killing Birdell Beeks instead. Cross examination was rather intense with the defense attorney appearing to catch Scott in a number of lies during his testimony or for lying in the past.

Beeks’ granddaughter cried as Scott spoke of her grandmother’s death. She was sitting next to Birdell Beeks when she was shot and killed. The case resumes Friday with rival gang member, “Sto”, taking the stand.