The trial for the woman accused of fatally shooting aspiring rapper Martell DeRouen, known by his stage name Kardone and who was Beyoncé’s cousin, has officially begun, nearly two years after the tragic incident took place.
As reported earlier, Martell DeRouen was tragically killed in January 2021 when he was shot through the door of his apartment at The Towers. The defendant, Sasha Skare, allegedly shot him following an argument, resulting in his untimely death from a single gunshot wound.
During the trial, which started on Tuesday (August 29), jurors were presented with a video showing the suspect walking to his apartment with a gun in one hand and a phone in the other. This video was accompanied by audio from a 911 call made by a woman claiming to be the victim’s wife. The caller expressed concerns about DeRouen’s safety and mentioned not having a key to access their apartment.
Joia DeRouen, the actual wife of the victim, testified that the voice on the 911 recording was not hers but belonged to the defendant, Sasha Skare. Joia DeRouen identified discrepancies in the information provided by Skare to the dispatcher, pointing out incorrect details such as age and name.
Pedro Padilla, an associate of Martell DeRouen, also took the stand as a witness. He testified that he had seen both DeRouen and Skare together on several occasions. Padilla mentioned that his Ring doorbell camera had captured footage of Skare walking down the hallway in a blue-green dress and holding a firearm and cell phone. He also recalled hearing what he initially thought was a firework but later realized was a gunshot around 9 p.m. that night.
Caroline Eichman, a neighbor who lived across from DeRouen, testified that she saw Skare banging on the victim’s door around the time of the shooting.
The trial is expected to continue with further evidence and witness testimonies, shedding light on the tragic events that led to the loss of Martell DeRouen’s life. The case has garnered significant attention due to its connection to the aspiring rapper’s familial ties with Beyoncé and its impact on the broader community. As the trial unfolds, it remains a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and disputes.
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Written by:
Dana Sterling-Editor
