Waterloo Man Charged with Killing a Man Who Was Accused of Killing his Brother

A Waterloo man faces murder charges in connection with the death of another man, who had been acquitted of killing the brother of the suspect in a drive-by shooting three years ago.

20-year-old Raymond Duke Birden Jr. has now been charged with first-degree murder in the May 2018 death of 22-year-old Shavondes Martin.

Martin had previously been acquitted in the 2016 drive-by shooting that killed Otavious Brown, Birden's brother. Three people were charged in that incident. 17-year-old Doncorrion Spates was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, and intimidation with a weapon in Brown's shooting.

Martin's cousin, 22-year-old Danaesha Martin, has been incarcerated on a murder warrant, also for Otavious Brown's death. She was arrested in November, in Virginia, and returned to Black Hawk County.

Birden was charged in Shavondes Martin's death on Monday (Jan. 14); Birden was already in jail on weapons charges.  Birden's bond was set this morning (Jan. 15) at    $1 million.

The investigation continues, and Waterloo Police are asking that if anyone has information on the case, they are requested to call authorities.