Man Shoots, Kills Friend in Argument Over Catalytic Converters
June 26, 2024

Jury Recommends 45-year Prison Term


ST. LOUIS, MO (June 26, 2024) — A jury found Cleveland V. Washington Jr., 21, guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Deionta McCurry, 23, on August 21, 2022, in the 3600 block of Montana Street in the city’s Dutchtown neighborhood.  


The fatal shooting resulted from an argument between the two men over the best way to sell stolen catalytic converters. The shooting was captured on video cameras at a nearby residence.  


The jury recommended that Washington serve 30 years in prison for the murder and 15 years for armed criminal action, to be served consecutively. While awaiting trial, Washington was one of several individuals charged with taking a 73-year-old guard hostage and smashing TVs at the City Justice Center in August of 2023.

 

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Circuit Attorney Gordon Ankney, a partner at the law firm of Thompson Coburn LLP, and Assistant Circuit Attorney Grant Simon.


“Our team did an outstanding job presenting this case to the members of the jury, whose sentencing recommendations clearly reflect the danger this violent defendant posed to our community,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore.


Washington will be formally sentenced on August 16, 2024, by 22nd Circuit Court Judge Christopher E. McGraugh.


                                                     ###


For Immediate Release

For more information contact:

Amber Raub

Public Information Officer

St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office

rauba@stlouiscao.org

314-589-6233 (office)

314-312-9912 (cell)

More News

July 28, 2025
The beating death of a 3-year-old boy, followed days later by a violent robbery, has resulted in an 18-year prison sentence for Timothy L. Robinson, 37, of St. Louis.
July 25, 2025
A St. Louis man was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a convenience store worker in the city’s Dutchtown neighborhood.
July 18, 2025
Tekeia Henderson, 49, was sentenced to life in prison today for killing his son, Demarko Henderson, 31, after a family argument that turned deadly.