A mistrial was declared on Tuesday in the case of two men accused of carrying out Sacramento's deadliest shooting, which killed six people and injured at least a dozen in April 2022. Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin were tried together on murder charges but the jury could not reach a consensus, leaving prosecutors to decide on a retrial.
Guilty on gun possession, deadlocked on murder
While the jury deadlocked on the murder charges, they found both defendants guilty of being felons in possession of firearms. Payton and Martin faced up to 15 years to life in prison for their roles in the shooting. The trial lasted more than two months, featuring dozens of hours of footage and testimony from officers, witnesses, and the defendants.
Shooting near California's capitol
The shooting occurred on K Street, just blocks from the state capitol, on April 3, 2022. In the early morning hours, rapid gunfire from multiple directions broke out as hundreds of people left bars and clubs. Six people died: three women—Johntaya Alexander (21), Melinda Davis (57), and Yamile Martinez-Andrade (21)—who were bystanders, and three men—Sergio Harris (38), Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi (32), and DeVazia Turner (29)—allegedly involved in the conflict.
Gang conflict and self-defense claims
Prosecutors argued the shooting resulted from a conflict between rival groups, with Martin and Payton going to K Street to kill rivals. The defense claimed they fired in self-defense, fearing for their lives. Payton testified he joined a local gang at age 11 and was scared during the shooting. Martin denied gang affiliation but said his deceased brother was involved.
Impact on victims' families
Victims' advocate Leia Schenk, supporting three families, said the trial's length and the mistrial prolong grief. “Ultimately, justice would be to have their loved ones back. But there’s no such thing as justice in a case like this,” Schenk said. “Now we’re starting all over again. So the families can’t begin to heal because every time they come here it’s ripping the Band-Aid off.” She urged the district attorney to offer compensation for families' lost work and travel costs.
Previous charges and defendant death
Initially charged with first-degree murder, prosecutors later reduced charges to second-degree murder after the jury deadlocked. Co-defendant Smiley Martin, Dandrae's brother, died in jail in 2024 from a methadone overdose before trial. The Sacramento County District Attorney will decide on a retrial for the murder charges.
