ST. LOUIS – Jurors returned a guilty verdict against a St. Louis man who killed his friend in 2022 during an argument over catalytic converters.
Cleveland V. Washington Jr., 21, was convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Deionta McCurry, 23.
The shooting happened on the evening of Aug. 21, 2022, in the 3600 block of Montana Street, located in the city’s Dutchtown neighborhood.
Prosecutors said Washington and McCurry were arguing over the best way to sell stolen catalytic converters when Washington took out a gun and shot McCurry.
While awaiting trial, prosecutors said Washington was among a group of incarcerated individuals charged with taking a 73-year-old guard hostage at the St. Louis City Justice Center in August 2023.
After delivering the guilty verdict, the jury recommended Washington serve 30 years in prison for the murder and 15 years for armed criminal action, with the sentences running consecutively.
Washington will be sentenced on August 16.