Daevon Motshwane: California man accused of murdering 9-month-old attacked by inmate in court
MERCED COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Daevon Motshwane, 18, is accused of fatally shooting 9-month-old Darius King Grigsby on November 9 while his mother and a friend were walking him in a stroller in the area of Q Street and 12th Street in Merced. He was attacked Thursday, December 1, shortly before his arraignment in Merced County Superior Court. In the shooting, Darius suffered a gunshot wound. After he was taken to a local hospital, officials there pronounced him dead on arrival. However, investigators had determined that the intended target was the man accompanying the mother and baby Darius.
Daevon Motshwane, 18, was sitting handcuffed in Merced County Superior Court when a man wearing an orange striped jumpsuit and also handcuffed attacked him from behind and appears to elbow Motshwane in the head, according to videos seen by KRON4. According to the Merced County Sheriff's Office, the man in the jumpsuit, James Clay McRae, had previously been charged with first-degree murder.
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As the scuffle broke, officers reacted quickly and controlled the situation, and subdued McRae, while the courtroom was also cleared temporarily. Family members of the 9-month-old victim Darius King Grigsby were also present during the altercation, the report said. “Every time you go in there someone gonna come at you and get beat up every time,” Darius’ mother, Monica Ayala, said. “Just all I gotta say is ready for what’s coming for you boy. Like a lot is gonna come your way and you’re gonna be hurt. Like damaged real bad.” Darius’ aunt Elena Perez as per the outlet reacted by saying, “Every little thing that he gets towards him he deserves every little bit. Every little thing that happens to him in jail, prison, whatever, he deserves every little bit, no matter what.”
Detectives from the Merced Police Department successfully tracked Motshwane from Merced, in the Central Valley of California, to the city of Gilroy, where a SWAT team arrested him on November 17. Police also detained a minor who they believe was the car's driver. Motshwane is facing life in prison after being charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, according to the Merced County District Attorney. If the death penalty was being considered, they would not say. The morning of December 8 has been chosen for Motshwane's arraignment.