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Update: Teen pleads guilty in Greensboro killing

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

(Updated Wednesday, April 29 - 12:13 am)

By Sonja Elmquist
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — An 18-year-old accused of shooting a man during an argument over a drug transaction pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Tuesday, avoiding the possibility of spending his life in prison.

Rashawd Terrell Welch also pleaded guilty in Guilford Superior Court to possession of a firearm by a felon.

Judge Henry E. Frye Jr. sentenced Welch to at least 26 years in prison and up to 33 years for the two charges, along with a previously suspended sentence for shooting into an occupied dwelling.

Welch was accused of shooting and killing 20-year-old Matthew Lamarkus Brown outside Welch’s home at 1704 Hidden Forest Drive on Nov. 8.

Assistant District Attorney Howard Neumann said Brown and some friends stopped to buy marijuana from Welch. Brown and Welch argued about payment for some other marijuana that Brown had bought from Welch, and Welch shot Brown once in the abdomen, Neumann said.

Brown ran a short distance before collapsing in a neighbor’s yard.

He died later at Moses Cone Hospital.

When Welch heard the police sirens, he cut off a house arrest monitoring bracelet and found someone to drive him to Eden, where he stayed until Greensboro police arrested him Nov. 10.

Brown’s mother, Vondreta Washington, attended the plea.

“I just want him to know he took my only child I ever had over some weed,” Washington told the court.

Welch’s attorney, Wayne Baucino, said Welch had learning disabilities and “a pretty significant psychological disorder.”

“Had we gone to trial, we would have made the argument that he was acting out of diminished capacity,” Baucino said.

Baucino said Welch is grateful that the state allowed the plea deal, giving him the hope of getting out of prison someday.

That led to a small outburst by many of Brown’s family members.

“My nephew ain’t ever going to be able to walk the streets again,” said Eric Brown, Matthew Brown’s uncle, outside the courtroom.

“Why should he (Welch) get a chance to get out?”

Contact Sonja Elmquist at 373-7090 or sonja.elmquist@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Photo Caption: Rashawd Terrell Welch

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Hyatt

April 28, 2009 - 12:45 pm EDT

Nice braids. I'm sure your prison buddies will find them......stimulating

rbond75

April 28, 2009 - 2:28 pm EDT

Matthew Brown was a friend and this person killed him over $20.....no how important is that to takes someones life

turkey

April 28, 2009 - 6:37 pm EDT

I am sorry for your loss but this WAS a drug altercation.

gboro84

April 28, 2009 - 7:15 pm EDT

Actually, if you read the article, you will see that he shot the man over $20.00 that was owed to him for marijuana. He didn't kill him for drugs, he killed him for money. What does that say about what we are teaching these kids about what is important in life? What do you expect when we all allow movies such as Get Rich Or Die Trying to be promoted, and when we allow disgusting, degrading, violent music to be pumped into our children's ears? What do you think is going to happen? Once again, this man wasn't killed because the murderer was high, or was in need of drugs, he killed him because he felt disrespected because the victim owed him $20.00.

turkey

April 28, 2009 - 10:28 pm EDT

exactly 20$ over drugs hence drug altercation

gboro84

April 29, 2009 - 6:06 am EDT

I still don't understand the purpose of this comment: "I am sorry for your loss but this WAS a drug altercation."

--A man is murdered, but since marijuana was involved, you purpose that this murder doesn't hold much relevance, or maybe more? Could you help us understand what idea you are trying to convey with that comment?

rbond75

April 29, 2009 - 2:29 pm EDT

I believe he is trying to let people know that he just MIGHT be an ignorant small minded person...now if the money that was owed to him was because he bought a shirt or a pair of shoes...would that make it ok for you? no...its still murder regardless. stop being such a simpleton

turkey

April 29, 2009 - 9:57 pm EDT

I apologize I didn't mean to sound insensitive. There is no excuse for human loss. What I was basically saying is that sometimes when you deal with shady things you put yourself in bad situations, people should learn from the tragedy Again I am sorry for your loss.

shelkat26

April 30, 2009 - 12:15 pm EDT

Ok I am from Florida and a dear friend of Matthew's father Rafeal Price, he is serving a 40 year sentence for drug sales and this kid only gets 26 years for murder? This is the sorriest form of the judicial system that I have ever seen. People who sell drugs get more time than murderers do? What has happened to this country that a sorry POS can get such little time for taking the life of child no matter what the incident surrounding the murder was. I am appalled that this has transpired in this trial. My heart goes out to this family in their time of sadness. I think we should all take a strong look at the way the court systems are today in this country and try to make a change. This is the largest form of injustice that I have ever seen!! Matthew's life was worth more than 26 years to all of his family and this kid will get out sooner than that and see the light of day whereas Matthew won't be able to grow up and do the things his parents would be proud of. His father has come a long way in his journey to setting his life straight and this has just devastated him that he couldn't even be there at the trial to speak on behalf of his son. Please everyone lets just stop the violence and take a long look at what is important in life.

water777

May 20, 2009 - 11:05 am EDT

okay i was both of there friends.. they were me besties.. yea it wasnt fair what happen to markee but they both grew up around it i mean we all did.. it was his time to go.. god was callin him home and i know hes happy there then he is here anyone would have to be. but atleast you know hes in a better place what if you were welches mamma or family you would be sayin the exact opposite about them. welches mamma dont know if hes in a better place. we live what we learn and what we grow up around im sure in some ways we have all had guns pointed at us and put up to our head or some stupid shit because now every one is about money and its all about disrespect i loved markee to death that was like my brother i never met his family but damn we were close. and i miss him alot. but you know hes with you where ever you go and you know he cant leave you now hes the one watchin over you... im very sorry for your loss i truly am and sittin here with tears rollin i pray for your family every day.. but things happen. with much love-me-