Friends and neighbors-

I just wanted to share with you how proud I am of the hard work the prosecutors in my office are putting forth. Our prosecutors successfully tried a case which resulted in a guilty verdict for Brian Mayhew, a ruthless individual who clearly has no respect for human life, including his own.

Brian Mayhew was on trial for his part in the May 2011 murders of Anthony McKelvin and Sean Ellis. Mayhew and an accomplice kidnapped Mr. Ellis and Mr. McKelvin and forced them to drive, at gun point, in Ellis’ Lexus to a home to retrieve between $3,000 and $10,000 in cash and then to Ellis’ residence to retrieve his watches.

Mayhew and his accomplice then drove to a construction site in Seat Pleasant, MD where they shot and killed Mr. Ellis and Mr. McKelvin. The two men then attempted to cover up the murders by covering the bodies and the car in bleach and gasoline. The goal was to burn the evidence, but they did not have matches or a lighter.

Nicoh Mayhew, Brian’s uncle, who brought bleach and gasoline to the scene, was going to testify against Brian, but was killed in December 2012. Prosecutors believe Brian Mayhew ordered the hit to keep his uncle from testifying.

The cold blooded nature in which he killed Mr. Ellis and Mr. McKelvin, and allegedly had his own uncle killed, shows us that he does not belong in society ever again and that is why we will be seeking a sentence of life without parole.

Along with two counts of first degree murder, Brian was also found guilty of two counts of second degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, first degree assault, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, false imprisonment, conspiracy to commit false imprisonment and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 28, 2014.  Mayhew’s accomplice is scheduled to go on trial on March 17, 2014 and the trial for those accused of killing Nicoh Mayhew is currently scheduled for September 2014.

It is important for everyone to understand, especially would-be criminals, that witness intimidation and witness retaliation will not be tolerated in our county.  Additionally, it is not an effective way to avoid prosecution.  Even without Nicoh Mayhew’s presence in the courtroom, we were still able to get his Grand Jury testimony into evidence and read it in court. We also had substantial evidence, beyond Nicoh’s testimony, against Brian Mayhew thanks to the great work of our police department.

I would also like to tell you about another trial that starts this coming Monday, February 10. Akil Ings will stand trial for the murder of Marcus Antonio Jones.  Jones was a 16-year old student at Friendly High School when he was shot following a January 2013 party in Fort Washington.

When trying any case, especially a homicide case involving a teenage victim, it is important that we have the support of the community in the courtroom so that the defendant and everyone involved with the case understands that we will not tolerate violence, especially against our children.

Sincerely,

Angela D. Alsobrooks

State’s Attorney