Opinion ID: 2823201
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Testimony of David Mercado

Text: David Mercado, one of the accomplices in the attempted robbery and the murder of Mr. Nelson, testified at trial pursuant to a cooperation agreement, in which he agreed to assist in the murder investigation and to testify for the state. Mr. Mercado testified that, in exchange for his testimony, he pled nolo contendere to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery and received a ten year sentence, with four years to serve and the balance suspended with probation. -4- With respect to the events leading up to the murder of Mr. Nelson, Mr. Mercado testified that, on August 16, 2004, the day of Mr. Nelson’s murder, Mr. Mercado’s childhood friend Casper Martinez discussed with him a plan to rob Mr. Mercado’s former drug dealer, Jeff Keltz. It was Mr. Mercado’s testimony that Jeff Keltz was the roommate of Mr. Nelson. He stated that Mr. Nelson was not involved in Mr. Keltz’s drug activity; that fact is undisputed by the parties. Mr. Mercado testified that, after Mr. Martinez taunted him about his reluctance to participate in the robbery, he agreed to provide transportation to and from the crime scene. It was further the testimony of Mr. Mercado that, later that night, before the robbery, he drove Mr. Martinez to Almy Street in Providence. Mr. Mercado stated that, while they were parked on Almy Street, he observed three men, whom Mr. Mercado had never seen before, arrive on Almy Street. According to Mr. Mercado, Mr. Martinez introduced two of the men as “Malik” and “Kev.” It is undisputed that the men who were introduced to Mr. Mercado as “Malik” and “Kev” were Mr. White and Mr. Turner, respectively. Mr. Mercado testified that the third man, whom Mr. Mercado later identified at trial as defendant, introduced himself to Mr. Mercado as “R.” Mr. Mercado stated that he also heard Mr. Turner refer to defendant as “Ray.” It was the further testimony of Mr. Mercado that, after lingering on Almy Street for ten to fifteen minutes, he drove Mr. Martinez to the corner of Penn and Knight Streets while Mr. White, Mr. Turner, and defendant drove separately to Penn Street in Mr. White’s vehicle. Mr. Mercado testified that he drove away as the other four men started walking toward the apartment of Mr. Keltz and Mr. Nelson. It was next Mr. Mercado’s testimony that, after approximately ten to fifteen minutes, Mr. Martinez called to ask Mr. Mercado to pick him up near the Knight Street apartment. Mr. Mercado further testified that, once Mr. Martinez was in the car, he told Mr. Mercado that, -5- “Kevin [Turner] shot a guy.” Mr. Mercado stated that he eventually drove Mr. Martinez home and then went “home to [his] mom’s.” Mr. Mercado went on to testify that, the next day—August 17, 2004—he learned from a news broadcast that Mr. Nelson had died. It was then Mr. Mercado’s testimony that, after he learned that Mr. Nelson had been killed, he drove Mr. Martinez to meet with Mr. Turner on Almy Street and that Mr. Turner gave Mr. Martinez the gun, telling Mr. Martinez to dispose of the weapon. It was Mr. Mercado’s testimony that, two days later, on August 19, 2004, in an attempt to potentially dispose of the gun in Pawtucket, he was driving with Mr. Martinez while the gun was in a shoebox on the floor of the front passenger seat. However, Mr. Mercado further testified that, while he and Mr. Martinez were en route to Pawtucket, the police pulled his car over, arrested them, and seized the weapon. Mr. Mercado admitted during his testimony that, while he had initially denied involvement in the crime, he eventually gave a statement implicating defendant, Mr. Martinez, Mr. White, Mr. Turner, and himself in the murder of Mr. Nelson. Additionally, Mr. Mercado testified that police detectives showed him several photographic arrays from which he identified his accomplices. On cross-examination, Mr. Mercado admitted that he had smoked marijuana multiple times on August 16, 2004, the day of Mr. Nelson’s murder, and that he was “stoned” during the planning and execution of the crime. Mr. Mercado further admitted that he had smoked marijuana on the day of his arrest. He acknowledged that he decided to cooperate with the police while he was being transported to the Providence police station, when the effects of the marijuana that he had smoked earlier that day had “pretty much worn off.” -6-