Jury starts deliberation on Dontie Mitchell

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Court was in session all day for Dontie Mitchell, the anti-violence advocate charged with attempted murder and criminal possession.

During closing arguments, Rebekah Sokol, Assistant Albany County Public Defender, said Mitchell’s case was in self-defense. She told the jury that her defendant was trying to help a young adult male by keeping him away from a gang. Mitchell was carrying a gun that somebody left in his car.

Sokol said gang members surround Mitchel and that’s when he fired the gun. “The people have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was not justified in what he did. So again, being justified is now that new element, right? So he intended to cause the death of somebody and he was not justified in doing so beyond a reasonable doubt. Same standard.”

But the prosecution had the opposite to say.

Jessica Blain-Lewis, Assistant District Attorney, said Mitchell wasn’t there to save the young adult male. Instead, to “collect” the 20-year-old, stating the two had had past sexual relations.

Blain-Lewis adds Mitchell didn’t fire the gun after being surrounded by gang members. He first showed the gun, the gang members started running and that’s when Mitchell fired four times. They say Nalik Sealey, who fired back, was one of the intended targets. Shieer Leggett was instead hit by gunfire and later died.

“I submit to you that the proof in this case shows beyond all doubt that Dontie Mitchell went to 125 Main Street with the intent to use that gun,” stated Blain-Lewis. “With the intent to get those boys at any cost.”

The jury started deliberation but will be on recess until Monday, December 9, at 9:15 in the morning.