Cousins Convicted in North Memphis Murder

July 1, 2022 – Two cousins were convicted Friday in the 2018 shooting death of a 27-year-old man following an argument in outside of a North Memphis convenience store, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A Criminal Court jury found Marcus Green, 43, guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and convicted felon with a firearm.

His cousin and codefendant, Deonta Baskin, 44, was convicted of first-degree murder and as a convicted felon with a firearm. He was convicted in 2007 in an unrelated attempted-murder case and served 10 years of a 24-year sentence.

Baskin was paroled in 2017, a year before he was arrested on the North Memphis murder. Prosecutors plan to seek a sentence of life without parole for Baskin when he is sentenced later by Judge Lee Coffee. Green will have a minimum sentence of life in prison.

Following a weeklong trial, the cousins were convicted of killing 27-year-old Marceles Scurlock in the late afternoon of May 23, 2018, following an argument outside a store in the 1600 block of Oakwood Street.

Green also fired at the victim’s girlfriend as she ran inside the store for safety.

Video surveillance showed the three men arguing and Scurlock trying to flee. Baskin grabbed and held him as Green punched Scurlock in the head and pistol whipped him.

Baskin told police that he began firing numerous times when he was shot in the side, apparently by accident by his cousin Green. The video showed Scurlock fall in the street and Baskin firing more shots as he walked away.

Scurlock, who was struck 15 times, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The case was handled by Chief Prosecutor Alanda Dwyer and by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jimmy Thomas of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit which seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.