Ft. Washington Man Convicted in 2011 Double Homicide

A Fort Washington man was convicted Thursday in the August 2011 double homicide of his mother and step brother, according to Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks.

Quindell Mercer, 35, was found guilty of two counts of second degree murder and related handgun charges, Alsobrooks said. 

“Mr. Mercer executed his mother and step brother in cold blood for no apparent reason and there is no excuse for this senseless act of violence that took the lives of two of our citizens,” she said.  “I am pleased that a jury has held him accountable for his actions and that he will never have the chance to hurt anyone again.”

Alsobrooks said although there was no clear motive for the murders, an FBI handwriting expert and DNA evidence tied Mercer to the crime.

On the afternoon of Aug. 3, 2011, Mercer went to a home at 11800 block of Hickory Drive where his mother, Patricia Harris, 56, and her son, Frank Lamar Harris, 20, lived, court documents states.

According to police, he shot them for unknown reasons and posed their bodies on the sofa to make it look like their were asleep.

They were discovered by Frank Arthur Harris, Patricia's husband, police said. Mercer was arrested 20 days later.

Mercer's sentencing will be on Jan. 11, 2013 and he's facing a 110-year sentence.