Judge Upholds First-Degree Murder Charge Against Lumumba Sayers Sr. Following Preliminary Hearing
During a preliminary hearing in an Adams County courtroom, a judge decided not to lower the first-degree murder charge against 46-year-old Lumumba Sayers Sr. The former MMA fighter appeared significantly underweight and injured as he faced charges in connection to the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Malcolm Watson at his son’s fifth birthday party in August.
Sayers Sr. is facing five charges, including first-degree murder, two counts of felony menacing, and two counts of tampering with evidence. Police and prosecutors believe the shooting was an act of revenge, following the death of Sayers Sr.’s son, Lumumba Sayers Jr., a year earlier.
Witnesses alleged that Sayers Sr. shot Watson multiple times and attempted to place items on his body after the shooting. Defense attorney Megan Downing argued for the charges to be lowered to second-degree murder, stating there was not enough evidence to support premediated murder or tampering with evidence.
However, Judge Jeffrey Ruff upheld the initial charges, stating that intent and deliberation can occur in moments. Sayers Sr.’s daughter was allegedly involved in the case, with a second gun found at the scene purchased by a former roommate of Sayers Jr. The murder weapon has not been found, leading prosecutors to believe it was handed to Sayers Sr.’s daughter after the shooting.
Despite the defense’s arguments, the judge maintained the first-degree murder charge against Sayers Sr., who will be arraigned later this spring. Family and friends in the courtroom showed a range of emotions, with some shedding tears while others breathed sighs of relief at the decision.
