“I did this before,” Isaiah Newsome told his attorney as she explained the process for his new murder trial to him.
Newsome, now 21, is accused of killing 17-year-old Dr. Steven Davion Garrett — the victim’s name not occupation — on Aug. 7, 2015.
Garrett was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in Pleasantville’s Max Manning Park. Newsome, then also 17, was arrested two months later, and eventually waived up to be tried as an adult.
Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Waldman declared a mistrial, after “information came in that essentially pointed to someone else being responsible,” attorney Tamika McKoy, who represented Newsome at the first trial, told BreakingAC at the time.
First Assistant Prosecutor Cary Shill had not completed presenting the state’s case when the new evidence came to light involving the DNA coming back to someone other than the defendant.
A new trial is now set for Jan. 13, with Newsome now represented by Yvonne Maher.
In court Wednesday, Maher told the judge she was still waiting for all of the evidence to be forwarded to her, and has also requested a transcript of the first trial.
Newsome’s mother, Yolanda Cooper, took issue with media being allowed to photograph the proceedings.
“Excuse me, Your Honor,” she interjected. “Is she allowed to take pictures of my son?”
Newsome quickly tried to quiet his mother, telling her everything was fine.
"We need this," he said.
Cooper previously told BreakingAC that she has plans to sue over some of the treatment her family has received over the case. It does not appear that anything has been filed at this time.
Newsome seemed unfazed by either the hearing or the pending case.
“Let’s go to trial,” he said as he happily entered the courtroom in shackles and an orange jail uniform.
He at one point sat smiling at the camera videoing him from the jury box.
Newsome will be in court Jan. 2, when final discussions are set before trial.
