Burlington, Ia (The Hawk Eye)- Attorneys for one of the men accused in the murder of Demarcus “Peanut” Chew said bodycam footage from the night Chew died is too prejudicial to be played in court.
The Hawk Eye reports that Thursday marked the third day of jury selection for Emmanuel Spann’s murder trial for the killing of Chew.
Chew was killed shortly before 6 a.m. Sept. 10, 2017, outside 1021 N. Fifth St., where his mother lived at the time. Chew had just returned from a night of clubbing in Gulfport, Illinois when he was ambushed and shot to death while in the backseat of a car.
“It is undisputed Mr. Chew is deceased. Neither law enforcement action in performing CPR nor the statements of bystanders are relevant to whether the Defendant is guilty of the crime as charged,” the Defense’ motion reads.
It is alleged by the Des Moines County Attorney’s office that Spann along with four others conspired to shoot Chew in order to collect $20,000 in hit money for the Black Pirates gang. Spann is charged with first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence.
Three other men, Andre Harris, Derrick Parker, and Antoine Spann have already pled guilty to the crime. All three are listed as witnesses for the prosecution’s case.
