Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that a Providence County Superior Court jury found Quandell Husband, age 18, of Providence, guilty on three counts of first degree murder, three counts of discharge of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence resulting in death, and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery. The jury returned the verdict after a three-week trial before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause and just two days before the two-year anniversary of the deaths of Shameeka Barros, Michael Martin and Damien Colon.
During the course of the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Husband was responsible for the murder of Shameeka Barros, Damien Colon and Michael Martin during an attempted robbery on July 30, 2012.
On evening of July 30, 2012, Timothy DeBritto, Russell Burrell, Quandell Husband and Donovann Hall were at the apartment of Sylvia Morehead, the mother of four of DeBritto's children. There, they discussed that Michael Martin would be an easy target for a robbery, which the group referred to as a "lick." The four discussed the fact that Mr. Martin would be likely to have marijuana and money at his apartment.
At the apartment was a black handgun a 9 millimeter Glock that had a magazine that held 17 rounds. The Glock was one that individuals in the group had taken turns possessing and controlling in the past. In fact, DeBritto had used the same weapon less than two months earlier when he shot and injured a romantic rival.
At approximately 10:00 p.m. on July 30, 2012, Russell Burrell, armed with the Glock fully loaded, Quandell Husband and Donovann Hall walked to the apartment of Michael Martin.
When Mr. Martin came to the door, Burrell pointed the gun as all three rushed into the living room, barking commands to Mr. Martin and Damien Colon, who they were not expecting to be present. Mr. Martin and Mr. Colon were herded towards the kitchen in the back of the apartment where Burrell fired the 9mm repeatedly in their direction, killing them both.
As this was happening, Shameeka Barros awoke from a nap on a couch in the living room. Upon realizing Ms. Barrows was in the apartment, Burrell turned the gun on her, emptying the magazine clip of its bullets, killing Ms. Barrows.
Donovann Hall, age 20, pled guilty in February 2013 to his role. Russell Burrell, age 18, pled guilty in November 2013. Both are awaiting sentencing. Timothy DeBritto, age 28, pled guilty in March 2014 and was sentenced to 40 years to serve plus an additional 20 years suspended, non –parolable.
Assistant Attorneys General Randall White and James Baum prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General. The investigation was led by Providence Police Detective Rob Washburn, along with Detectives Fabio Zuena, Frank Vilella, Theodore Michaels, and Captain Michael Correia.
Judge Krause scheduled motion for new trial for September 3, 2014.