Third Man Convicted In 2020 Murder At Durham Car Meet-Up Near Hillsborough Rd. Cookout

DURHAM, NC — A third person has been found guilty in the 2020 murder of a 26-year-old man, Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry announced.

On Thursday (May 30), a jury found Rashawn Harwell guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Otha Ray Watson (case number: 20CR054996-310). Two co-defendants were convicted at trial last year. Assistant District Attorney Mary Jude Darrow prosecuted the cases with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Maryam Al-Zoubi.

The fatal shooting occurred on September 13, 2020, at a crowded car meet-up near Cookout on Hillsborough Road. Darrow argued during the trial that Harwell brandished a gun and tried to start a fight with Watson. After Watson refused to fight, the three co-defendants surrounded his vehicle. As he attempted to drive away, they began shooting. Watson was fatally shot in the head, and a second victim was struck in the hip. Harwell and Watson were known to each other.

Evidence presented by the State during the week-long trial included surveillance camera footage capturing the shooting, data from GPS monitoring devices putting two defendants at the scene, and shell casings found at the scene. In addition, shoes and clothing consistent with the surveillance footage were found in Harwell’s home. Nearly a dozen witnesses testified during the trial, including law enforcement, forensic experts, and an eyewitness to the shooting.

“This was a reckless act of violence that took one life and put many more in danger,” Deberry said. “With this verdict, three people have now been held accountable for their dangerous actions. The Durham DA’s Office thanks the witnesses who testified.”

On Thursday afternoon, Superior Court Judge Shamieka Rhinehart sentenced Harwell, 29, to a minimum of 207 months to a maximum of 261 months in prison. Harwell’s conviction was the sixth homicide conviction obtained by the Durham DA’s Office in the past six weeks.

A jury found Harwell’s co-defendants, Larry Harwell and Taylor Jones, guilty of second-degree murder in March 2023. At that time, Larry Harwell, 32, was sentenced to 207 to 261 months in prison, and Taylor Jones, 30, was sentenced to 238 to 298 months in prison. As in all criminal matters, sentences are based on offense class and the defendant’s prior record level.