An investigation by Met detectives has resulted in four men being convicted of murdering Kacey Boothe in Walthamstow.
Ka’mani Brightly-Donaldson, Kammar Henry-Richards, Joao Pateco-te and Jeffrey Gyimah were found guilty at the Old Bailey on Monday, 11 December and Tuesday, 12 December following a trial lasting ten weeks.
Kammar Henry-Richards, 25, known as Kay-O, and three others were convicted over the death of Kacey Boothe last August 13 and a plot to murder the intended target Khalid Samanter.
Mr Boothe, 25, was shot as he got in his car outside the first birthday party of Mr Samanter’s child at the Peterhouse Community Centre in Walthamstow, north-east London.
The two men were associated with a London Fields gang said to be in a rivalry with the defendants’ E9’ers gang.
Jurors were told the attack was “well-planned and carefully orchestrated”.
The gun used in Mr Boothe’s murder was used on seven occasions between 2020 and the day he was killed.
Mr Boothe’s older brother Kyle Boothe survived being shot with it on August 1 2020.
Days after Mr Boothe’s death, Henry-Richards bragged about the killing in a rap video called Kay-O Laughing Stock.
The lyrics read: “Big Boothe and Little got hit, same sig, that’s a sour family.
“Both got slapped at functions, neck and head, handguns come handy.”
Prosecutor Anthony Orchard KC told jurors: “A boast was being made that the same ‘sig’ (gun) had been used to shoot both Kacey Boothe and his elder brother Kyle Boothe.
“This fact was known only to those involved in the shootings and not to the police at that time.”
Eleven days before the murder, Mr Samanter’s “entirely innocent” neighbour Abdirahman Jeylaani was shot as he sat in his car near his home in a case of mistaken identity. He was lucky to survive.
The gun used to kill Mr Boothe was also fired in Hackney Wick earlier the same day and later disposed of, jurors were told.
Mr Orchard said the defendants conspired to kill Mr Samanter or otherwise shoot another London Fields associate, with each helping and encouraging the gunman.
He said the defendants took steps to hide traces that could provide clues as to who was involved.
None of the defendants, from east London, gave evidence in their defence.
It was asserted on their behalf that they were not involved in the murder but were concerned with the theft of cars.
The jury deliberated for a week to convict Henry-Richards, Kamani Brightly-Donaldson, 24, Jeffrey Gyimah, 21, and Joao Pateco-Te, 27 of murder.
They were also convicted of conspiracy to murder another man and conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command began an investigation which involved trawling hours of CCTV footage to identify the suspects.
It was through this extensive work and witness accounts that detectives identified the shooter had left the scene in a stolen car.
These enquiries resulted in warrants being executed at addresses in north London with a total of six arrests being made.
Officers discovered that Kacey and the defendants were linked to rival gangs in north London and had already been involved in a number of violent incidents.
However, it is believed that Kacey was not the intended target of the shooting, and the killers had instead been intending to kill another man.
Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith, whose team carried out the investigation, said: “I would like to commend my team for their tenacious and dedicated investigation, trawling through hours of CCTV, analysing mobile phones and speaking with a number of witnesses to piece together the exact movements of these individuals prior to this deadly attack.
“I am pleased to see these men held responsible for their actions and hope this serves as a warning to other people who involve themselves in gang related violence, that we will take robust action.
“Ultimately, a family have lost their loved one and for this my thoughts remain with Kacey’s family and friends at this time. I hope today’s verdict will help them to move forward.”
A fifth man, Roody Thomas, had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm.
They will all be sentenced at the same court on a date to be confirmed in January.
The jury failed to reach a verdict in relation to a sixth man and a re-trial will take place in due course.
Details of the defendants
Ka’mani Brightly-Donaldson, (10.11.99), of High Street, Ponders End
Kammar Henry-Richards, (13.05.98), of Cambrian Road, E10
Jeffrey Gyimah, (12.12.01), of Queensbridge Road, Hackney
Joao Pateco-te (06.10.96), of Chelmer Road, Hackney
Roody Thomas (16.09.97), of Berger Road, E9
