Trials Scheduled For Two Charged With Murder

Trials are scheduled next year for two of the three men accused of gunning down a Union man in Cuba’s Hood Park.

Maurice K. Williams, 22, and Malik Brandon, 24, could be headed to trial in 2024 for the Feb. 1 murder of Mister Zombie Halferty.

Halferty was killed in what detectives describe in court documents as an attempted drug deal.

Williams is scheduled to appear again April 17, 2024 before Judge Michael Randazzo at the Crawford County Courthouse.

It will be Williams’ last chance to plea before the trial gets underway Monday, June 10.

He remains in custody at the Crawford County Jail.

Brandon has been released on bond and is scheduled to appear March 4 before Judge Sidney Pearson for a pre-trial conference.

Brandon’s trial has been moved to Phelps County. It is scheduled to begin April 8.

Daeshawn Brandon, 21, is the third person charged in Halferty’s murder. He is scheduled to appear before Randazzo on Nov. 20 for a trial setting. 

Daeshawn Brandon pleaded not guilty on Sept. 19.

The probable cause statement says Halferty was allegedly selling marijuana to the men. Williams drove the trio to Hood Park to meet with Halferty. He got in Halferty’s vehicle, then got out and Daeshawn Brandon allegedly opened fire.

Malik Brandon told detectives that Halferty initiated the gunfire. 

The trio drove away, but returned to locate “the stuff (Halferty) was supposed to bring.”

Malik Brandon said Halferty raised his gun, and Daeshawn shot him again.

They drove back to Sullivan where the vehicle was disposed at the former building of The Ridge church.

The plates were removed, but the VIN was traced back to Malik Brandon.

Surveillance video from Hood Park was acquired, showing a “dark figure” approach Halferty’s vehicle. Three muzzle flashes were seen.

The vehicle left the scene, but returned two minutes later. At least eight more shots were fired and the vehicle left.