PHILADELPHIA (April 29, 2024) — District Attorney Larry Krasner and members of the District Attorney’s Office Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit announced on Monday that Marquis Mathis (DOB 9/11/1994) was convicted by a Philadelphia jury of First Degree Murder, Conspiracy, and illegal firearm charges.
The charges stem from a brutal ambush that occurred on Halloween night in 2019. According to videos obtained by investigators, Mathis and a co-conspirator were loitering in several hallways and foyers throughout the Regency Village Apartments for approximately one hour before the shooting. They eventually made their way down to the courtyard to wait for the victim, 31-year-old Craig Carter. Carter is seen exiting a vehicle and entering the courtyard. An additional video shows Mathis and his co-conspirator opening fire, shooting Carter 14 times before fleeing the scene.
Investigators recovered one crime gun at the scene in addition to 26 fired cartridge casings (FCCs) and a cigarette butt with DNA from one of the defendants. In addition to ballistic evidence and DNA, apartment complex surveillance video played a critical role in identifying Mathis —who has prominent tattoos that police recognized from previous contacts—and his co-conspirator, 22-year-old Joshua Yelverton.
Yelverton was arrested in February 2020 and was convicted of Third Degree Murder and related charges after a waiver trial in August 2021.
Mathis, who was on parole and wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the shooting, absconded to Bethlehem, PA and remained at large before his arrest by local authorities on October 1, 2020.
“Thanks to the skillful prosecution in this case by Assistant District Attorney Christian Wynne, Mr. Mathis no longer poses a threat to the community,” said DA Krasner. “This conviction and sentencing also sends a message to others who are contemplating committing heinous acts or have already done so: You will be held accountable for your actions.”
“I want to thank the Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Detectives who never gave up on this case,” said ADA Wynne. “And I want to give a special thanks to Assistant District Attorneys Cydney Pope and Angela Brennan who made themselves available to assist in this prosecution. At sentencing, Mr. Carter’s niece spoke about the hole his death has left in their family’s life. Mr. Carter used to pick her up from school and help her with her homework. She is now going on to graduate from nursing school to help others in need.”
Mathis was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole by the Hon. Giovanni Campbell on April 25, 2024.
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]