Two Detroit men were convicted on Wednesday in a murder-for-hire plot that left a Novi man dead outside a popular Detroit restaurant in 2015.
Deaunta Belcher, 35, and Andre Watson, 32, were convicted on murder-for-hire charges, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and oxycodone, and use of a firearm causing death during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Devin Wallace, 30, was killed outside They Say restaurant in the warehouse district of Detroit on Sept. 11, 2015.
After an investigation, it was determined that Belcher was "part of an intricate drug and fraud scheme throughout Detroit."
According to investigators, Wallace, and Belcher's co-defendant, Darnell Bailey, obtained cars, apartments, furniture and other items by using identities of drug customers and other victims, and then leased those throughout the city.
The U.S. Attorney's office said Belcher and others decided to "kill Wallace out of greed so they could assume his role in their fraud and drug conspiracy."
Belcher and Bailey offered Watson and Stephen Brown money, a car and other compensation to murder Wallace, according to investigators. They spent weeks trying to find him, and then Belcher told them Wallace would be at They Say.
The suspects then pulled up to They Say and opened fire 12 times on Wallace. Nine bullets hit him and six went into his head.
Bailey, Brown and Billie Chambers who were also arrested already pleaded guilty to murder-for-hire for their involvement and they are awaiting sentencing.
“These defendants carried out a brazen, cold blooded murder in broad daylight near downtown Detroit, and the shooting shocked our community when it was broadcast on the evening news,” United States Attorney Matthew Schneider said. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of the FBI and the Detroit Police Department, the people of Detroit can rest easier knowing these defendants will remain behind bars for the rest of their lives. Eradicating violent crime remains our top priority, and we will continue to work every day so Michiganders can go about their lives without fear of harm.”
