Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Durran Morgan was convicted of murder in the shooting death of his 25-year-old nephew during a family barbecue in St. Albans during Memorial Day weekend in 2023. Morgan argued with his nephew, 25-year-old Chevaughn Millings, over payment for the chicken served at the gathering. The defendant was also convicted of assault for shooting his niece.

District Attorney Katz said: “What should have been a joyous holiday weekend turned to complete tragedy when the defendant shot and killed his 25-year-old nephew over a petty dispute about food payment. He also seriously injured his own niece during a shooting that happened in view of other relatives.  Gun violence is never the answer to any argument. The defendant has now been found guilty of murder and will be sent to prison when he is sentenced on December 16.”

Morgan, 40, of Pineville Lane in St. Albans, was convicted yesterday by a jury of murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

Trial openings began on November 20 and summations took place yesterday. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before delivering a verdict.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise set sentencing for December 16 at which time Morgan faces up to 50 years to life in prison.

According to the charges and trial testimony, on May 27, 2023, at approximately 9:13 p.m., Morgan along with numerous family members were having a barbecue at the family home in St. Albans. The defendant and Chevaughn Millings argued about payment for the meal and Millings and another guest pushed Morgan out of a side door at the house.

Morgan then went to the front door, re-entered the home and encountered his nephew. He took out a gun from his waistband and shot the 25-year-old 10 times. Millings was struck in the abdomen and legs and died as a result of the injuries.

According to trial records, the defendant’s 20-year-old niece, who was standing near Millings, was hit multiple times in the leg and grazed by a bullet on her forehead. She survived and is continuing to recover.

Morgan fled to Georgia after the shooting and later returned to New York to surrender.

Assistant District Attorney Gabriel J. Reale, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, prosecuted the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Erica Silverman, of the Felony Trial Bureau III, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys John Kosinski, Homicide Bureau Chief, and Karen Ross and Jonathan Selkowe, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.