Hadiya Pendleton murder: Testimony continues in trial of Kenneth Williams, Mickiael Ward

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Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Hadiya Pendleton murder: Testimony continues in trial of Kenneth Williams, Mickiael Ward
Wednesday marks the second day in the trial of two Chicago men charged with killing 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton in 2013.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Wednesday marks the second day in the trial of two Chicago men charged with killing 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton in 2013.

The courtroom at 26th and California was packed on Tuesday, when lawyers made their opening statements.

RELATED: Opening statements heard in Hadiya Pendleton murder trial

Two reputed gang members, Kenneth Williams and Mickieal Ward, are accused of shooting into a group at Harsh Park in Chicago's Kenwood neighborhood in January 2013, killing Pendleton.

She had just performed at former President Barack Obama's second inauguration.

RELATED: 5 years after murder, Hadiya Pendleton's parents honor her legacy

On Wednesday, prosecutors called several reputed gang members to the witness stand to testify about their history with the two men charged with Pendleton's murder.

Tyron Lawrence and Jarod Randolph, who wished not to be shown on camera, both testified they and the defendants were in a music video that made threats to rival gangs, flashed hand signs and pointed guns at the camera.

Williams' attorney asked Lawrence whether the video reflected his lifestyle at the time under cross examination. Lawrence said it did not.

Demetrius Tucker, in custody for another case, confirmed in his testimony that he and both defendants are members of the same gang.

Prosecutors also asked Tucker about his previous statement that Williams had allegedly talked about the shooting. On the witness stand Wednesday, Tucker denied making that statement.

"I didn't talk about anything I didn't know," he said.

An attorney for Ward asked Tucker about how the police officers questioned him, whether they told him what to say. Tucker responded that they "made me feel bad" about Pendleton's death.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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