Man denied bond after killing for chain, taking selfies with it [VIDEO]

North Miami Beach Man Killed Over Chain, Then Took Selfies With It, Prosecutors Say

What began as a violent robbery in North Miami Beach has evolved into one of Florida’s most chilling murder cases in recent memory. Marcuss Ealy, 22, stands accused of robbing and fatally shooting 21-year-old Malcolm Avery Johnson Jr. in what prosecutors are calling an “execution-style” killing. Allegedly, it was over a gold medallion chain.

The May 30, 2023, killing was caught on surveillance footage and has been followed by a wave of disturbing revelations. This includes the discovery of selfies Ealy took with the stolen chain. The selfies were taken just hours after the murder. As of May 2025, a Florida judge denied Ealy’s bond request after reviewing what prosecutors describe as “overwhelming evidence.” Therefore, ensuring he will remain behind bars while awaiting trial.

The Killing: Surveillance Video Shows Cold Execution

The crime occurred near Northwest 170th Street and Northwest 3rd Avenue in North Miami Beach in the early morning hours of May 30, 2023. Video surveillance shows two individuals pulling up in a dark-colored vehicle and confronting Johnson. Johnson was wearing a gold medallion necklace.

Despite appearing to comply with demands — including raising his hands — Johnson was shot four times, including in the head and chest. Therefore, resulting in fatal injuries. The suspects then fled the scene in their vehicle.

The footage quickly became central to the case. Ealy’s own brother and mother reportedly identified him in stills from the video, adding a powerful layer of internal witness corroboration. His brother even wrote a letter to prosecutors, stating he recognized both Ealy and the weapon used in the killing from Ealy’s Instagram posts.

The Selfies: Prosecutors Say Ealy Posed With the Chain

Perhaps the most damning piece of evidence came not from law enforcement, but from Ealy’s girlfriend’s phone. Investigators uncovered a series of selfies taken shortly after the killing. Thus, showing Ealy and his girlfriend posing with the stolen gold medallion.

The photos were stored in a hidden folder. Prosecutors say the timestamps on the images place them within hours of Johnson’s death. The audacity of posing with the murder victim’s property — and the ability to link those images directly to Ealy — has shocked the public and strengthened the prosecution’s case.

As a result, Ealy’s case has fallen under much scrutiny.

The Accomplice: Mario Fogler Pleads Guilty, Agrees to Testify

The second suspect in the case, Mario Fogler (sometimes spelled Folger), was arrested alongside Ealy in early June 2023. In March 2025, Fogler pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, accepted a 20-year prison sentence plus two years of probation, and agreed to testify against Ealy.

Fogler’s cooperation has been another critical blow to Ealy’s defense. His guilty plea includes a confession that allegedly identifies Ealy as the shooter. With multiple forms of evidence now pointing in the same direction — video, images, testimony, and family identifications — the case against Ealy has only grown stronger.

Ealy’s Bond Hearing and Legal Arguments

In a May 2025 Arthur hearing, Ealy’s legal team attempted to secure pretrial release via house arrest, arguing that the evidence was “circumstantial” and did not prove beyond doubt that Ealy was the shooter.

However, prosecutors argued that the combination of surveillance footage, witness identification, digital evidence, and Fogler’s confession created a clear and compelling narrative. Judge Cristina Miranda ultimately denied bond. Thus, citing community safety concerns and noting that police had already been monitoring Ealy’s home due to suspected gang ties.

“I can’t in any good conscience say that it would be safe for the community to return this defendant to his home,” Judge Miranda said, referencing a pole camera that had been installed near Ealy’s residence before the killing.

Ealy has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery.

Social Media Erupts: Outrage and Calls for Accountability

The case has generated massive attention online — particularly on X (formerly Twitter) — where a viral post by @grindfacetv has amassed over 5,000 likes and nearly 500 replies. Users widely condemned the murder, with many expressing disbelief and disgust at the alleged selfies taken with the victim’s chain.

@GizzleGOfficial: “Give him life no parole. They were clearly bums who didn’t wanna work or get it themselves. Good riddance.”

@VashaunBlanks: “Man had his actual hands up and this loser killed him. I hope the worst kind of stuffhappens to him in prison. I loathe these kinds of people!!”

@GriftGod_: “The girlfriend should go to prison with him.”

Others mocked the selfies as a symbol of arrogance and stupidity:

@wallydollarlive: “Playing Dress Up wearing another man chain.. some of the LAMEST thing u can do.”

The public response has been nearly unanimous in its condemnation, with no visible support for Ealy found in trending threads. Instead, the conversation has turned toward the broader implications of violence over material goods, with users reflecting on the devaluation of life in certain communities.

Broader Reflections: Violence, Social Media, and Accountability

This case sits at the intersection of gun violence, digital footprints, and street culture, illustrating how a single chain became the motive for a cold-blooded killing. It also shows how modern digital forensics — including cellphone data and social media behavior — have become essential tools in modern homicide investigations.

Meanwhile, the victim’s family has stayed largely out of the spotlight, though public memorial posts continue to circulate.

Conclusion: Awaiting Trial, But Public Judgment Rendered

As of today’s posting time, no trial date has been set for Marcuss Ealy. He remains detained, with prosecutors expressing confidence in their case based on its “multi-layered strength.”

Whether or not a jury agrees with the prosecution remains to be seen. However, in the court of public opinion, Marcuss Ealy has already been convicted, not just by the evidence, but by the casual cruelty of what followed: posing for pictures with a dead man’s chain as if it were a trophy.

This story has resurfaced on social media and the outrage is just as fresh as if it were new. As this man hopes for bond, there are many who are displeased by this entire situation.