Delaware News

Gang Member Convicted of Murder

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Friday, June 28, 2019



A member of the STK (Shoot to Kill) gang faces a minimum of 28 years in prison after his conviction for the 2017 murder of a rival gang member. Deputy Attorneys Daniel McBride and Michael DegliObizzi secured the conviction of 20-year-old Dai’yann Wharton in a bench trial in Superior Court. In March 2017, Wharton killed 18-year-old Yaseem Powell of Wilmington, with a gunshot to the head while Powell was on the 2300 block of North Claymont Street. Powell was a member of STK’s rival gang, OMB (Only My Brothers). Detective Robert Fox of the Wilmington Police Department led the investigation. A Superior Court judge found Wharton guilty of Murder First Degree, Conspiracy First Degree, Possession of a Firearm By a Person Prohibited (Juvenile), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon. Powell, who was 17 years old at the time of the murder, faces 28 years to life in prison when sentenced later this year.

A Wilmington couple was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the 2018 murder of a 15-month-old Chosen Smith. Tameke Wright, 24, and Lavar Harris, 38, were babysitting the child in February 2018 when they took the child to the hospital saying he had fallen off of a futon. The child died moments later and an examination showed extensive bruising and abusive head injuries, including a fractured skull. Wright and Harris pleaded guilty in January to Murder by Abuse First Degree. A Superior Court judge sentenced them each to 35 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 18 months of probation. They will also spend every February 16th, the anniversary of the child’s death, in solitary confinement. Deputy Attorneys General James Kriner and Diana Dunn prosecuted the case with the assistance of administrative assistants Chrissy Schenck and Monica Walker, paralegal Jayna Quillen and victim services specialist Bettina Jones. Detective Devon Jones of the Wilmington Police Homicide Unit was the chief investigating officer.

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.

Gang Member Convicted of Murder

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Friday, June 28, 2019



A member of the STK (Shoot to Kill) gang faces a minimum of 28 years in prison after his conviction for the 2017 murder of a rival gang member. Deputy Attorneys Daniel McBride and Michael DegliObizzi secured the conviction of 20-year-old Dai’yann Wharton in a bench trial in Superior Court. In March 2017, Wharton killed 18-year-old Yaseem Powell of Wilmington, with a gunshot to the head while Powell was on the 2300 block of North Claymont Street. Powell was a member of STK’s rival gang, OMB (Only My Brothers). Detective Robert Fox of the Wilmington Police Department led the investigation. A Superior Court judge found Wharton guilty of Murder First Degree, Conspiracy First Degree, Possession of a Firearm By a Person Prohibited (Juvenile), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon. Powell, who was 17 years old at the time of the murder, faces 28 years to life in prison when sentenced later this year.

A Wilmington couple was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the 2018 murder of a 15-month-old Chosen Smith. Tameke Wright, 24, and Lavar Harris, 38, were babysitting the child in February 2018 when they took the child to the hospital saying he had fallen off of a futon. The child died moments later and an examination showed extensive bruising and abusive head injuries, including a fractured skull. Wright and Harris pleaded guilty in January to Murder by Abuse First Degree. A Superior Court judge sentenced them each to 35 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 18 months of probation. They will also spend every February 16th, the anniversary of the child’s death, in solitary confinement. Deputy Attorneys General James Kriner and Diana Dunn prosecuted the case with the assistance of administrative assistants Chrissy Schenck and Monica Walker, paralegal Jayna Quillen and victim services specialist Bettina Jones. Detective Devon Jones of the Wilmington Police Homicide Unit was the chief investigating officer.

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.