DETROIT – A woman who worked with Dontae Norris and one of the people accused in his killing testified in court on Monday.
Two adults and two teens are on trial for Norris's murder. He was a National Guard soldier who had just completed training. The 20-year-old was shot to death as he was being carjacked on Detroit's northwest side.
On the night of his death, Norris was working at the Superland Meat Market along with one of the defendants, Clarence "CJ" Moore Jr. A third worker testified that Moore had been arguing with Norris.
"CJ had accused Dontae and someone else of taking his phone," said witness Dawn Lewis.
She said Moore used another phone, apparently to get some friends to come to the store.
Defendant Devon Berry, 21, allegedly pointed a gun at Norris outside the store. Berry and Eric Chandler are accused of trying to drive off in Norris's car.
"Dontae at that point ran to the car and tried to fight the person in the driver's seat. That didn't work, as far as getting his car back, so he jumped on top of the hood and tried to fight them through the sunroof," said Lewis.
Lewis said the driver shot Norris in the chest.
"After he was shot he slid off the car. When he slid off the car he grabbed his chest," said Lewis.
Norris died upon arriving at a hospital. He was living in Westland and was engaged to be married.
There is no word yet on whether the judge has ordered the four defendants to stand trial.