Man testifies against co-defendant, saying he killed a Cedar Rapids man last year

A man convicted of federal firearm charges testified Wednesday against a co-defendant, saying the man killed 32-year-old Bryan Ahmaad Edwards last Sept. 10 in Cedar Rapids.

Derek Hughes-Doby, 29, said Cecil Howell, 45, got into a fist fight with Edwards but then Howell started pistol whipping Edwards with a silver .22 caliber pistol, hitting him on the left side of the head. Edwards attempted to get up off the ground but then the 'gun went off,” he said.

Hughes-Doby, Cecil Howell and his nephew Treundes Howell, 28, and Keith Moore, Jr., 30, were all seen leaving 1045 G Ave. NW, on Sept. 10, where Cecil was living, after shots were fired and Edwards was found dead. All have pleaded guilty in federal court to firearm charges.

Cecil Howell and the three others were not charged in Edwards' death but federal prosecutors are seeking to hold Howell responsible for victim restitution, as part of his sentencing. The money would be paid to Edwards' family.

U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade can consider evidence presented regarding Howell's involvement in Edwards death, which could also increase his prison time. Reade pointed out Howell has denied he was involved in the homicide.

Reade didn't make a ruling Wednesday on his sentencing. She will make a written ruling on the restitution issue and then set a hearing for final arguments on other sentencing issues. Hughes-Doby said he was friends with Treundes Howell and Keith Moore and only knew Cecil through his nephew Treundes. He also said he was friends with Edwards. They lived together in 2013 and 2014.

Hughes-Doby, Treundes and his girlfriend, Christine Hernandez, Moore and Cecil ended up going to a shooting range in Swisher on Sept. 10.

They then drove to 1045 G. Avenue, so Cecil could pick up his clothes and other items. At first, he stayed outside in the vehicle but then heard loud 'bumping” inside the house and yelling. Hughes-Doby went inside and saw Cecil and Edwards fighting in the kitchen.

The four of them, including Cecil, got in the car and left but then Hughes-Doby drove and parked the vehicle on 10th Avenue. Cecil and Moore then went back to the house, he testified.

He and Treundes then followed about 10 minutes later and Edwards and Cecil were again fighting but this time outside in the back of the house.

Hughes-Doby said this is when he saw Cecil beat Edwards with the pistol that Cecil had at the shooting range.

Hughes-Doby also told the judge that Cecil had threatened him while both of them have been in jail pending federal sentencing. He received messages from others that Cecil said he was going to be killed in prison because he's a 'snitch.”

Two other witnesses, who were neighbors to the 1045 G Avenue house, testified about seeing four men running down the driveway and to seeing what they described as a fight before hearing a gunshot.

One neighbor, Melissa Grimm, said she also heard someone yell 'I'm going to f*##ing kill him” and then heard a 'pop.”