Key facts
- A mistrial was declared in the trial of Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin, accused in Sacramento's deadliest shooting.
- The 2022 shooting resulted in six deaths and at least a dozen injuries.
- Payton and Martin were found guilty of possessing firearms despite prior felony convictions.
- The jury was unable to reach a consensus on the murder charges.
- Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue a retrial for the murder charges.
The trial for two men accused in Sacramento's deadliest shooting, which claimed six lives, concluded in a mistrial on Tuesday. Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin faced potential life sentences for their alleged roles in the 2022 incident. While the jury could not reach a verdict on the murder charges, both defendants were convicted of possessing firearms despite prior felony convictions.
The trial, which spanned over two months, included extensive video evidence and testimony from witnesses, officers, and the defendants themselves. Prosecutors alleged that Payton and Martin went to K Street, a popular nightlife area, to engage with rival gang members, leading to the fatal gun battle. The defense argued that the shootings were acts of self-defense amidst a chaotic and unexpected exchange of gunfire.
Payton testified about his fear for his life, recounting joining a local gang at age 11 and witnessing people being shot around him. Martin denied any gang affiliation, attributing involvement to his deceased brother, Smiley Martin, who was also initially charged but died in jail in 2024 from a methadone overdose.
The shooting, which occurred in April 2022, drew significant media attention due to its high death toll and proximity to the state's capitol. Victims' advocate Leia Schenk noted that such gang-related incidents rarely receive sustained attention, but the lethality and location of this event made it a major news story. The prolonged trial process has also added to the difficulty of grieving for the victims' families, as they are repeatedly reminded of the tragedy each time they attend court.