Ricky Shelby, 24, faced a Manhattan judge recently after a murder charge against him was sealed. He claims he accidentally shot Exenia Mette, a beloved 61-year-old neighborhood grandmother, during a shootout in April.
Mette, known as “Momma Zee” and the owner of a local bodega, was struck in the head by a bullet while she was stepping out of her apartment to check on her grandchild, having heard the initial gunfire, according to authorities.
During the court session, Shelby’s attorney, Alberto Ebanks, argued that the incident didn’t originate on the street where the shooting took place. He stated it actually began further down the road, highlighting that Shelby’s rival, Darious Smith, allegedly threatened him first.
Ebanks illustrated the situation, comparing Smith’s aggressive approach to that of “Yosemite Sam,” as he described how Smith confronted Shelby before things escalated. He maintained that Shelby, who had quickly changed clothes after the shooting to evade capture, should be granted bail while awaiting trial.
Notably, Shelby turned himself in to the NYPD six days post-shooting, which Ebanks emphasized as a sign of responsibility. However, despite these points, the judge sided with the prosecution and ordered Shelby, who pleaded not guilty, to remain detained without bail.
Both families were present in court, though neither side made any comments afterwards.
Shelby is set to return to court on August 20th. Meanwhile, Smith, previously released on bail for an unrelated incident, faces charges of attempted murder.
