HOUSTON, Texas — Demondrian Denshae McWright, a habitual offender, has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for the murder of 36-year-old Gerald Nash in front of an Acres Homes convenience store in 2020.
The sentencing was announced by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, who emphasized the importance of seeking justice in cases of urban gun violence.
McWright, 33, was convicted of murder by a Harris County jury after a six-day trial. The incident occurred during a heated argument involving multiple individuals. In the midst of the altercation, McWright pulled out a silver revolver and shot Nash once. He then proceeded to discharge the entire pistol while standing over Nash's lifeless body.
The argument had erupted when Nash and his fiancée arrived at the convenience store around 10 p.m. on January 25, 2020. They encountered a woman who had children with Nash's fiancée's brother. This encounter escalated into a confrontation, which was captured on surveillance video.
Despite Nash's attempts to disengage from the argument and enter the store to complete his shopping, McWright prevented him from doing so. Nash, who had no involvement in the dispute, eventually returned to his car in an attempt to wait for the situation to defuse. However, when McWright laid hands on Nash's fiancée, Nash intervened by pushing McWright away. In response, McWright drew his pistol and fatally shot Nash. He then fled the scene but was apprehended by the Houston Police Department eight months later.
At the time of the murder, McWright was out on bond, having been arrested just ten days prior for a drug-related offense involving fentanyl. Additionally, he was carrying a firearm despite being a convicted felon. McWright had previously served time in prison for a 2014 conviction related to possession of a stolen gun and had prior convictions for drug possession, as well as assaulting a corrections officer while in the Harris County Jail.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Edward A. Appelbaum and Matthew Bergeron, who emphasized the need to address the issue of senseless gun violence.
Appelbaum noted that the victim’s family was relieved to hear the verdict after waiting more than three years since the murder.
