Julius Riddick Jr., 22, took the witness stand Thursday in his felony murder trial, claiming he acted in self-defense during a 2022 gunfight that resulted in the death of Reginald Johnson, 32.
Riddick is charged with two counts of felony murder in connection with the Oct. 17, 2022, shooting outside a Dunkin’ Donuts on Washington Road. Johnson, who was a passenger in a car driven by John Lee Scarboro, was fatally struck during an exchange of gunfire between Scarboro and Riddick.
During cross-examination by Assistant District Attorney Keagan Waystack, Riddick described his involvement in a check fraud scheme. He testified that he used a portable printer to create counterfeit checks, which were deposited into accounts of associates, with the funds then quickly withdrawn before banks detected them.
On the night of the incident, Riddick said he arranged to meet a woman, Scarboro’s girlfriend, at a BP gas station to return her debit card, which had been used in the scam, in exchange for cash.
Surveillance video showed them meeting outside the BP shortly before she fled across Washington Road to the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot, where Scarboro quickly pulled up.
Footage presented at trial showed Riddick pulling into the lot behind Scarboro, exiting his vehicle with a gun drawn. Riddick testified that he felt he was being ambushed and fired his weapon in self-defense after seeing Scarboro also armed.
The video showed Riddick shooting multiple times and continuing to fire while approaching Scarboro, even after Scarboro had fallen to the ground with a gunshot wound to the leg.
Scarboro was initially indicted for murder alongside Riddick, but pleaded guilty to a lesser offense last week and testified for the prosecution Wednesday.
Closing arguments in the case are expected to begin around 9:15 a.m. Friday in the courtroom of Superior Court Judge John Flythe.
