Prosecution rests case in attempted murder trial of self-proclaimed anti-violence activist

The prosecution has rested its case in the attempted murder trial of self-proclaimed anti-violence activist Dontie Mitchell.

Mitchell has been charged in the killing of Shieer Leggett on August 11, 2023 in the area of Main and Schuyler streets in Cohoes.

A State Police forensics investigator testified that 24 shell casings were recovered at the murder scene. They were fired from three different 9mm semiautomatic handguns.

Alexis Spall, an intelligence analyst with the New York State Police, showed a timeline of the events using screen shots taking from surveillance cameras, primarily at the Smoke Rite 3 and Deli at 125 Main St.  

The footage shows a group of men in the area of the store around 10 p.m. A Gray Honda Accord, which prosecutors said was driven by Donte Mitchell, is seen in the area.

The shots are fired at around 10:37 p.m. There are three persons of interest and six other people in the area of the crime scene.

Investigators were able to identify suspects using that surveillance footage and a few others including from CDTA.

Cohoes Police Det. Matthew Orton testified that he canvassed the neighborhood for witnesses. One of them identified Mitchell as being involved in the incident.

Orton testified that Mitchell did not have a pistol permit.

Body camera footage was shown of him pulling over Mitchell on Aug. 14, 2023 on the southbound lane of 787 near Exit 8. Police were looking for Mitchell’s Honda Accord.

One trooper draws his gun at the rear of the car and yells: “Hands up! Put your hands up! Hands out the window!”

The other trooper gets Mitchell out of the car. Mitchell, dressed in a gray Gap T-shirt and jeans, is cooperative.

Some sound on the video was redacted. The trooper said Cohoes Police want to ask Mitchell some questions. His car is also going to be processed for evidence.

The trial is expected to resume Friday at 9:15 a.m. in Albany County Court. Judge Andra Ackerman said she hopes the jury will have the case by late afternoon.

Leggett’s mother, Shakia Leggett, has been in the courtroom during the trial. She said it is especially hard because her son’s murder took place on her birthday. He was coming to come see her in Atlanta.

Shieer was a single father. He was hanging out with his little brother on that night.

“He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” she said.