Teen found ‘not guilty’ in murder trial, arguing self-defense from gang attack

 Teen found ‘not guilty’ in murder trial, arguing self-defense from gang attack

Updated: Feb. 22, 2024, 1:07 p.m.|Published: Feb. 22, 2024, 1:02 p.m.

Kahree Louis Compton, 18, is charged with one count of open murder and felony firearms. Compton, then 16, is accused of fatally shooting Jashaw Omar Jones, 17, on Dec. 16, 2022, in Kalamazoo. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com)

Matt Wait speaks while representing Kahree Louis Compton in court. Compton is charged with one count of open murder and felony firearms in the fatal shooting of Jashaw Omar Jones, 17, on Dec. 16, 2022, in Kalamazoo. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com)

KALAMAZOO, MI -- A Kalamazoo teen was found not guilty of murder in the shooting death of a masked teenager outside at an apartment complex.

Kahree Louis Compton shot and killed 17-year-old Jashaw Omar Jones, according to testimony presented at the trial that ended this week. Attorneys on both sides agreed Compton fired the fatal shot, though the defense argued it was because Compton was in fear for his life.

The case began on Feb. 14 and the jury deliberated beginning Tuesday, Feb. 20, with an option to find first-degree murder, second-degree murder or not guilty.

After deliberating all day Wednesday, the jury came back with the not guilty verdict on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 22.

Compton, now 18, of Kalamazoo, was charged with one count of open murder and felony firearms stemming from the fatal shooting of Jones on Dec. 16, 2022, at Interfaith Apartments.

Jones was found guilty of a separate count of weapons felony firearms, a two-year offense, according to the jury’s finding.

Attorney Matt Wait of Kalamazoo Defender represented Compton, and said he was happy for his client after hearing the result Tuesday.

“I have confidence in saying my client was genuinely fearful for his life that day,” Wait said.

During the trial, Wait argued Compton was the target of a coordinated gang attack by members of the Brick Boys. When Compton left an apartment where he was hanging out with others, the then-16-year-old Compton came face to face with a masked man.

Compton pulled a gun and shot the masked man upon seeing the masked Jones reach into his coat, Wait argued. A gun was not found on Jones, according to testimony, and Wait argued a gun was removed from Jones after he was shot.

“If he hadn’t done what he had done, I believe he would have died that day,” Wait said. “They are tough cases, but the reality is Michigan law allows people to defend themselves against threats, and clearly I believe (a threat) is what Jashaw Jones was to my client that day.”

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Chelsea Huber questioned the version of events presented by the defense attorney.

Huber argued it was a case of “unjustifiable murder” that began a nightmare for the family and loved ones of Jones.

Compton remains in custody. Wait estimated Compton would be home before the end of the year, because time he has already served would go toward the expected firearms sentence of two years.

Mario Compton, a cousin of the defendant, told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette during the trial that the case was about self-defense.

He alleged the people who targeted Compton premeditated the attack.

“He was forced to protect himself,” Mario Compton said Tuesday, after sitting through the trial, as closing arguments were being held.