Jury convicts Cedar Rapids man of first-degree murder in shooting outside bar

CEDAR RAPIDS — A jury found a Cedar Rapids man guilty of first-degree murder Wednesday in what prosecutors called the revenge killing of Kenyauta Vesey-Keith, who was struck by two bullets outside a bar in the early hours of June 11, 2023.

Denzel Wilson, 25, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. His sentencing will be set later.

The jury, which deliberated just over four hours following about four days of testimony, acquitted Wilson on a charge of going armed with intent. Wilson was carrying a gun that night, which he testified to on Monday during the trial. He also pleaded to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm before the trial started Feb. 11.

Wilson didn’t show much reaction when the guilty verdict was read.

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Vesey-Keith’s mother, Saresa Keith, and about 20 to 25 others were also in the courtroom for the verdict.

“First, I would like to thank the jury for their time and service,” Assistant Linn County Attorney Jordan Schier said after the verdict was announced. “I know that this was a long process for them, but our office greatly appreciates their willingness to do their civic duty. Additionally, First Assistant Linn County Attorney Monica Slaughter and I fully support their verdict. We both believe that was the correct outcome.”

Schier added, “Our hearts go out to all of the family members that were affected by this case.”

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Prosecutors said revenge led to shooting

Schier, during his opening statement last week, said Wilson killed Vesey-Keith for revenge because Vesey-Keith had killed his fellow gang member — Brandon Johnson, 21, of Cedar Rapids — in 2016. The rival groups have continued to have “bitterness” and incidents over the years, the prosecutor said.

Wilson, who testified Monday in his own defense, denied the shooting was out of revenge and attempted to downplay his affiliation with a gang called MOB — My Only Brothers — and the conflict with Vesey-Keith’s gang, called BNA. Initially he denied his association with the group until Schier pointed out a MOB tattoo on his right hand.

Wilson claimed he shot Vesey-Keith in self-defense because he was scared of him and thought he had a gun — but there was no evidence of that.

Police testified they didn’t find a gun on Vesey-Keith or near him where he fell outside Poppa N Tommyz, 1323 First Ave. SE, after being shot twice in the neck and side.

During the trial, two witnesses testified that Wilson was the shooter.

Marisha Brown, 25, of Cedar Rapids, testified she knew about the rivalry between Vesey-Keith’s gang and Wilson’s gang. Brown was at the bar that night and was in a line waiting to get in when she saw the shooting unfold. She was behind Wilson and Jaden Jackson, who also testified Wilson was the shooter, and could “clearly” see them.

As Vesey-Keith walked by the line, he didn’t speak to Wilson and she didn’t notice any looks between the two, as Wilson claimed during his testimony. After Vesey-Keith walked by the line, she heard a gunshot and saw Wilson with a gun.

Jackson, who ran into Wilson that night and went to the bar with him, said they were also standing in the line to get inside. He saw Vesey-Keith coming around the corner from the parking lot. Vesey-Keith got in line, but then walked back toward the lot.

Jackson testified that Wilson saw Vesey-Keith and seemed to “tighten up.” Jackson told the jury that Wilson never said he was scared or wanted to leave.

Vesey-Keith walked by the line and that’s when Jackson heard gunshots from behind him. Jackson said he told police he didn’t see who shot Vesey-Keith, but police hadn’t shown him a surveillance video taken from the bar.

During Jackson’s testimony, Schier played the video and asked if recognized the person seen stepping forward from the line with his arm extended and shooting at Vesey-Keith. Jackson said the shooter was Wilson.

A witness, Egypt Davis, testifying for the prosecution, said Wilson came by her home, which she shared with one of Wilson’s friends, about 1 a.m. June 11, 2023, after she agreed he could stay with them. Davis said Wilson was drunk when he arrived.

He asked for bleach and then said he shot Bubba — Vesey-Keith’s nickname — in the head because Vesey-Keith had killed Johnson in 2016.

After Wilson confessed to fatal shooting, Davis said, she told him he had to leave her house because she didn’t want Vesey-Keith’s family or friends retaliating against her. She had children and didn’t want anybody “shooting up” her house, she testified.

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