Man charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of local hip-hop artist
CBC News | Posted: June 9, 2019 2:46 PM | Last Updated: January 10, 2024
Donald Musselman, 18, appeared in court Sunday morning
UPDATE: On Dec. 20, 2023, Donald Musselman was found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder. Sentencing will take place at a later date.
An 18-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of an Ottawa hip-hop artist who was shot and killed Friday night in the ByWard Market.
Donald Musselman appeared in court via video from the Ottawa police station Sunday morning. He is charged in the death of 42-year-old Markland Campbell, also known by the stage name Jahiant Jahh.
Musselman was partially obscured from view by the camera's angle. Only the top half of his face was visible, but he wore a black jacket when he appeared.
He said only his name and "yes sir" when the justice of the peace told him he could not contact 10 people whose names were read out in court.
Musselman was arrested early Saturday morning and was known to police, said detectives Guy Segin and Chris Benson with the Ottawa Police Service's major crime unit.
So far police have not recovered a weapon or discovered any link to street gangs, they said.
Benson said the shooting was targeted, however.
"There was some knowledge between some of the parties involved, " he said.
Witnesses had told CBC News they heard two gunshots Friday, coming from the west side of ByWard Market Square, near George Street.
Police have not said how many times Campbell was shot.
Police continue to investigate the homicide and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Benson said they're also looking into other incidents related to Friday night's shooting, but wouldn't say whether more charges would be laid against Musselman.
Musselman is expected to reappear in court June 13.
Markland Campbell had been in the market with his 18-year-old daughter when he was shot, his group Half Size Giants wrote in a statement.
Campbell later died in surgery, they said.
"Although he won't be here in body to experience his much deserved success after a lifetime of sacrifice and struggle to reach this pinnacle, Jahiant will be smiling down on us all," the statement reads.
A candlelight vigil for Campbell is planned for 6 p.m. Sunday at the corner of York Street and ByWard Market Square, where he collapsed.