DONKEY: 16 Year Old YN Breaks Down In Court After Being Charged As An Adult For Murder

Summary

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Donkey of the Day Recap

Episode: 16-Year-Old YN Breaks Down In Court After Being Charged As An Adult For Murder

Date: February 26, 2025
Host: Charlamagne tha God (with DJ Envy and Angela Yee)
Podcast: Donkey of the Day, Power 105.1 FM (WWPR-FM)

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Overview

In this episode, Charlamagne tha God awards "Donkey of the Day" to Sean Simpson, a 16-year-old from North Carolina who broke down in tears after being charged as an adult for the murder of Zaquavius Dawkins. The hosts use this incident to explore cycles of youth violence, the impact of new laws, the failures of intervention, and society's responsibility to prevent such tragedies. The conversation is raw, blunt, and filled with personal reflections, urging listeners to reflect on cycles of violence in the community and the real human cost behind viral moments.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Background and New Law

• Summary of the Crime: Sean Simpson, 16, is accused of murdering Zaquavius Dawkins and attempting to murder another victim.
• Emotional Court Appearance: Simpson broke down in court when informed he would not see freedom anytime soon.
• New North Carolina Law: A recent policy allows teens of Simpson's age to be charged as adults for certain crimes, intensifying the consequences for young offenders.
  • [02:10] DJ Envy: “Busta Rhymes, Donkey of the Day for Wednesday, February 26th goes to Sean Simpson...charged with first degree murder as an adult...a law change...went into effect in December...”
• Victim Background: Dawkins was killed while running an errand for his disabled mother.

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2. A Cycle That Never Ends: Personal Reflections & Societal Failure

• Personal Story: Charlamagne shares his own experience as a reckless teen, highlighting how easily one can get into life-altering trouble.
  • [03:27] Charlamagne tha God: “I mean, truthfully, this was me at 16 or 17...I went to jail for assaulting Barry with intent to kill...trouble is easy to get into and hard to get out of. And none of us have the time stone from the Marvel Cinematic Universe...”
• Cycle of Violence: The hosts lament how these shootings repeat throughout generations and aren’t “teachable moments” as hoped.
  • [03:27] DJ Envy: “I would say this is a teachable moment, but...I haven't seen too many of you learn yet. All of these are reruns, sadly. I don't understand why we aren't breaking this cycle.”

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3. Consequences and Regret

• No Sympathy for the Perpetrator's Tears:
  • [08:08] Charlamagne tha God: “But for me, it was him breaking down, like, realizing what it is...too late...I do not feel sorry for, like, yo, come on. Like that little boy not here no more.”
• Regret and Destiny: Stressing that every choice has permanent consequences, particularly violent ones.
  • [07:05] DJ Envy: “But this ain’t no movie, dog. The Quavius is dead for real because Sean Simpson made a choice that he is clearly now regretting and that he clearly can't change. And destiny is not a matter of chance. It's always a matter of choice.”
• Memorable Metaphor: The desire to "rewind time" and the futility of regret.
  • [03:27] Charlamagne tha God: “When you see this young man, Sean Simpson, break down...don’t you think he wish he had a time stone so he could rewind the time and not do what he did?...Of course he would.”

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4. Failing to Intervene Early

• Treatment Comes Too Late: Discussion about why Simpson is only now getting mental health treatment after committing a crime.
  • [06:01] Charlamagne tha God: “He is being held in the Gaston Adolescent center...undergoing treatment...But why wasn’t he getting this treatment before he committed a murder?...There had to be signs...but those signs were clearly ignored. But of course, we don't get people help until it's way too late.”

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5. “Take an Ass Whipping” vs. Gun Violence

• Escalation from Fights to Gun Violence:
  • [04:20] Charlamagne tha God: “Kids, you gotta learn to take an ass whipping. Even if it goes viral, so what?...Would you rather go viral because you got your ass beat in school or...because you in the courtroom getting charged with murder?”
• Cinematic Parallels: Comparing real-life events to classic films, emphasizing the grim reality.
  • [07:04] Charlamagne tha God: “I was ready to say Boys in the Hood, Ricky.”
  • [07:05] DJ Envy: “But this ain’t no movie, dog.”

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6. Discussion of Gun Accessibility and Society’s Attitude

• Normalization and Glorification:
  • [08:39] DJ Envy: “People used to come back blasting too...I think now it's heightened because if it's recorded and goes viral, not a world sees it as opposed to just your hood.”
  • [09:21] Angela Yee: “But I didn’t know. Now it seems like every kid has a gun. Like, not just small guns. I mean ARs...shotguns...Uzis.”
• Cycle and Desensitization:
  • [09:54] DJ Envy: “The cycle doesn’t ever break. This has been going on for a long, long time...gun violence has been prevalent for a long time.”
  • [10:04] Angela Yee: “It has, but it seemed like it’s gotten worse in the last couple of years.”

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7. Where Is Sympathy Directed?

• Empathy for the Victim and Family
  • [10:50] Charlamagne tha God: “I'm sad for the little boy. Mother who not here.”
• Questioning Who Failed:
  • [10:46] DJ Envy: “Something failed. I feel sad for the situation of the cycle that never seems to end.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Charlamagne tha God [03:27]:
  “Trouble is easy to get into and hard to get out of. And none of us have the time stone from the Marvel Cinematic Universe...don’t you think he wish he had a time stone so he could rewind the time and not do what he did?”

• Charlamagne tha God [04:20]:
  “Kids, you gotta learn to take an ass whipping. Even if it goes viral, so what?...When anger rises, think of the consequences. Would you rather go viral because you got your ass beat in school, or because you in the courtroom getting charged with murder?”

• DJ Envy [07:05]:
  “The Quavius is dead for real because Sean Simpson made a choice that he is clearly now regretting and that he clearly can't change. And destiny is not a matter of chance. It's always a matter of choice.”

• Charlamagne tha God [08:08]:
  “But for me, it was him breaking down, like, realizing what it is...too late...I do not be feeling sorry for, like, yo, come on. Like that little boy not here no more.”

• Angela Yee [10:04]:
  “It has, but it seemed like it’s gotten worse in the last couple of years.”

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Important Timestamps

• [02:10] — DJ Envy introduces the Donkey of the Day recipient and the case details.
• [03:27] — Charlamagne shares his own youth and the nature of “easy trouble.”
• [04:20] — Reflections on handling fights and virality vs. real-life consequences.
• [06:01] — Discussion about missed opportunities for early help and system failures.
• [07:04] — Movie analogies and tragic comparison to “Boys in the Hood.”
• [08:08] — Charlamagne expresses lack of pity for the teen shooter, focusing on the irreversible loss.
• [09:21] — Discussion on how gun culture has intensified and desensitized society.
• [10:50] — Empathy directed toward the victim’s family.

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Conclusion

This episode of Donkey of the Day delivers a sobering discussion on youth violence, the consequences of split-second decisions, and the ways both individuals and systems fail vulnerable youth. While acknowledging the complexity behind the headlines, Charlamagne and the team emphasize accountability, the necessity for early intervention, and re-centering empathy on the victims and those left behind. It’s an emotionally charged conversation highlighting that cycles of violence are not new—but they are, tragically, still very real and in need of urgent attention.

Transcript

[Charlamagne tha God]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Enya Umanzor]

Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor.

[Drew Phillips]

And I'm Drew Phillips and we run.

[Enya Umanzor]

A podcast called Emergency Intercom.

[Drew Phillips]

If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated adhd.

[Enya Umanzor]

Oh my God, perfect.

[Drew Phillips]

And want to hear people with mental illness psychobabble.

[Enya Umanzor]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Drew Phillips]

Then Emergency Intercom's the podcast for you. Open your free iHeartRadio app, search emergency intercom and listen now.

[Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman]

I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the Psychology Podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about how to be a better you. When you think about emotion regulation, you're not going to choose an adaptive strategy which is more effortful to use unless you think there's a good outcome. Avoidance is easier. Ignoring is easier. Denial is easier. Complex problem solving takes effort. Listen to the Psychology podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jenica Lopez]

Hi, I'm Jenica Lopez and in the new season of the Over Comfort podcast, I'm even more honest, more vulnerable, and more real than ever. Am I ready to enter this new part of my life? Like, am I ready to be in a relationship? Am I ready to have kids and to really just devote myself and my time? Join me for conversations about healing and growth, all from one of my favorite spaces, the kitchen. Listen to the new season of the Overcomer podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Every case that is a cold case that has DNA right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime.

[Enya Umanzor]

On the new podcast, America's Crime Lab. Every case has a story to tell and the DNA holds the truth.

[Angela Yee]

He never thought he was going to get caught. And I just looked at my computer.

[DJ Envy]

Screen, I was just like, ah, gotcha. This technology's already solving so cases.

[Enya Umanzor]

Listen to America's Crime Lab on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Charlemagne the God, he's a donkey.

[DJ Envy]

Oh man. Charlamagne. You've given donkey today to who now? Well, Busta Rhymes, Donkey of the day for Wednesday, February 26th goes to Sean Simpson. Sean Simpson is a 16 year old North Carolina teenager who broke down in tears after in court after being charged as an adult for murder. Let's go to Fox 46 for the report, please.

[Fox 46 Reporter]

Sean Simpson came into Gaston County Court at points wiping away his tears as he stood before a judge. Just 16 years old. He's being charged with first degree murder as an adult. That's as a result of a law change that went into effect in December which allows teens his age to be charged as an adult in certain crimes. There was a realization that during this proceeding that the gravity was hitting him. A grand jury indictment that could come in the near future. And a moment that hit when a judge told him that he would not be seeing freedom anytime soon.

[DJ Envy]

Court made him as a hold without bond.

[Fox 46 Reporter]

Court finds efficient allegations to support the charges. But it was something that Zequavius Dawkins family says they needed to be here for. Simpson accused of killing Dawkins Sunday night along Chester Street. Simpson also accused with attempted first degree murder involving another victim. Dawkins family says he was going to get medical supplies for his mother when he was killed.

[DJ Envy]

I would say this is a teachable moment, but I've been alive 46 years and I haven't seen too many of you learn yet. Okay, all of these are reruns, sadly. I don't understand why we aren't breaking this cycle. I don't understand why we aren't learning. I mean, truthfully, this was me at 16 or 17. Of course, I never killed anyone, but I've been in dumbass situations like this. When I was 16 or 17, I went to jail for assaulting Barry with intent to kill. Okay, the charge got changed. The point in presenting a firearm. But I was literally just in the backseat of a car and one of my homies shot at another car. Just dumb and young and reckless. Wasn't about nothing. Just teenage kids who don't really know any better. I wrote about it in my first book, Black Privilege. Opportunity comes to those who create it. And the reason I'm telling this story is because when my homie shot, there was three people in the car. The bullet hit the headrest of deceit. Nobody was sitting in the empty seat behind the passenger seat. But what if that seat wasn't empty? Then I go to jail for accessory to murder. Unless I snitched, which I probably would have. My point is, trouble is easy to get into and hard to get out of. And none of us have the time stone from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Okay? The time stone allows the user to control time. You can rewind, fast forward, travel through time. When you see this young man, Sean Simpson, break down like that in court, don't you think he wish he had a time stone so he could rewind the time and not do what he did? Of course he would. Of course. Okay, Shawn. And the young man, he Killed Zaquivius Dawkins had a fight, according to People magazine, the previous year at Ashbrook High School. I don't know who won the fight, but it clearly wasn't Shawn. And guess what, kids, you gotta learn to take an ass whipping, okay? Because these are just all hypotheticals I'm about to spew. But if you fight, get your ass whipped, even if it goes viral, so what? Okay? When anger rises, think of the consequences. Would you rather go viral because you got your ass beat in school? Or would you rather go viral because you in the courtroom getting charged with murder? And then when you get charged with murder, you looking like Simba screaming. Screaming out after Mufasa got trampled by the wildebeest. Okay? This is exactly what Simba felt in that moment. A mix of shock, grief and disbelief. But the grief you feel spending the rest of your life in jail cause you're getting charged as an adult isn't the same as the grief Zaquavius mother feels. So I don't feel bad for you, okay? I'm sad about the situation because two young black men aren't gonna have a. And society, you know, keeps failing these young men. I read that Sean is being held in the Gaston Adolescent center where he has been undergoing treatment. Okay? The center treats children and adolescents that have significant emotional and behavioral difficulties. Now, I'm not the highest grade of weed in the dispensary, but why wasn't he getting this treatment before he committed a murder? I guess I still gotta say allegedly, but allegedly. Okay? There had to be signs. There had to be some type of disciplinary issues at home and in school, but those signs were clearly ignored. But of course, we don't get people help, help until it's way too late. And that's what I'm sad about, okay? These things could be prevented. But I don't feel bad for Sean, okay? Because the Quavius was walking to a store to buy items for his disabled mother. And that's when Sean Sodom. That's when Sean shot him. Okay, listen to me. Read what it says, okay? This is what it says happened in People magazine. I'm gonna read this and you tell me what movie this sounds like. The Cuevius and his friend walk in the family dollar to get items for the Quavius's mother. A black Tesla drives past and the boy in the backseat identified as Sean and shouts something out the window. Sequavius and his friend began to run. When the car returns again, Sean Simpson allegedly starts shooting from the back. And that's how poor Zquavius got shot and killed. What movie does that sound like? Boys in the Dance.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I was ready to say Boys in the Hood, Ricky.

[DJ Envy]

Okay, but this ain't no movie, dog. Okay? The Quavius is dead for real. Because Sean Simpson made a choice that he is clearly now regretting and that he clearly can't change. And destiny is not a matter of chance. It's always a matter of choice. And I'm sad that Sean Simpson didn't make a better choice. But I'm not moved by Sean Simpson's tears. I'm not moved by his outburst in court. You know why? Because I know the Quavius Dawkins mother is crying way harder than Sean ever will. Okay, There is a quote, and the quote is, everyone makes mistakes in life, but that doesn't mean they have to pay for them for the rest of their life. Kids, I want to tell y', all that quote is a lie, okay? Yes, everyone makes mistakes in life. And depending what that mistake is, you will probably pay for it for the rest of your life, literally. And first degree murder in North Carolina is absolutely a life sentence. Please give Sean Simpson the biggest. He all 16 years old, man. 16. 16.

[Charlamagne tha God]

That's crazy. But for me, it was him breaking.

[Angela Yee]

Down, like, realizing what it is.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah. Like, you know, too late. Nah, it is. You know, you out here trying to be a Y N. You about to go to jail and be a YB Dad. Nope. I'm sorry. I don't. I. I do not be feeling sorry for, like, yo, come on. Like that little boy not here no more.

[Angela Yee]

Right?

[Charlamagne tha God]

This is all because you. You couldn't just fight him. You couldn't just keep fighting him. Just. That's. Ain't that how it used to be back in the day? You. Before you go get a gun, you keep fighting until you win or whatever. Just.

[DJ Envy]

Well, I mean, people used to come back blasted, too. We used to say the same thing back in the day. I think now it's heightened because if it's recorded and goes viral, not a world sees it as opposed to just your hood.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, but it happens often. Like, almost every day.

[Angela Yee]

Happens a lot. It seems like guns are more accessible.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah. Like.

[Angela Yee]

Like what was at a higher rate.

[DJ Envy]

Right.

[Angela Yee]

Because growing up, you probably only. Well, I. I'm from New York. Country is a lot different. But you might have only known one person with a gun.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[Angela Yee]

Or maybe two people.

[DJ Envy]

You was even scared to.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yo, honestly, like, I don't know what.

[DJ Envy]

World have y' all lived in?

[Angela Yee]

We didn't have guns. And Then if in New York, you'd automatically get, I think it's two years or three years in prison if you were found with a gun.

[DJ Envy]

So. I'm 46 years old. Gun violence has been going on since.

[Angela Yee]

But I didn't know. Now it seems like every kid has a gun. Like, not just small guns. I mean ars. I mean shotguns, I mean Uzis.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I mean extended clutches just like you or something. Like, we.

[DJ Envy]

The country's a little different. We're acting like this is a new conversation.

[Charlamagne tha God]

No, we're not acting like this is a new conversation.

[DJ Envy]

It's not a new conversation.

[Charlamagne tha God]

We just don't all have the same.

[DJ Envy]

No, no. Gun violence has been going on since the beginning of time. And even. And by the way, I just mentioned one movie, boy in the Hood. This is the same scenario for Menace to Society too. Society dude get beat up and he come back blasting. This is life. Sadly.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, I agree.

[DJ Envy]

And that's why I said the cycle doesn't ever break. This has been going on for a long, long time. I'm not gonna sit here and tell that lie. Like, you know, gun violence has not been prevalent for a long time.

[Angela Yee]

It has, but it seemed like it's gotten worse in the last couple of years.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Absolutely. It's just when somebody else got a different opinion. Respect it and shut up.

[DJ Envy]

Or maybe we just care more because we're adults now. Cause think when we was young, we used to glorify it. When we was young, you kind of used to celebrate it a lot.

[Angela Yee]

Right?

[DJ Envy]

That's just the fact of it.

[Angela Yee]

Let's open up the phone lines about this kid. 800-585-1051. Do you feel bad for this kid? He's 16 years old. He allegedly shot two teens. He's not gonna be charged as a child. He's gonna be charged as an adult. He broke down in court yesterday crying. So you can tell where his mind frame is. 800-585-1051. Let's discuss.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, let's discuss.

[Angela Yee]

You feel sympathy. Do you feel sad for this young man?

[DJ Envy]

Something failed. I feel sad for the situation of the cycle that never seems to end.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I'm sad for the little boy. Mother who not here.

[DJ Envy]

Definitely. That's just part of the cycle.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, but that's. That's who I'm. I'm sad for.

[Angela Yee]

Let's talk about it. We'll take phone calls. We'll talk about it in death when we come back. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.

[DJ Envy]

Donkey of the day is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney Michael the Bull Lamentsoft. Don't be a donkey. When you need a fighter on your side. If you're ever injured, go to Michael the Bull dot com. That's Michael the Bull dot com. And when you mess. Boo. You get the horns. Wake that ass up early in the morning. The Breakfast Club.

[Enya Umanzor]

Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor.

[Drew Phillips]

And I'm Drew Phillips.

[Enya Umanzor]

And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom.

[Drew Phillips]

If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated adhd.

[Enya Umanzor]

Oh my God, perfect.

[Drew Phillips]

And want to hear people with mental illness psychobabble.

[Enya Umanzor]

Yes. Yes.

[Drew Phillips]

Then Emergency Intercom's the podcast for you. Open your free iHeartradio app, search emergency Intercom and listen.

[DJ Envy]

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[Enya Umanzor]

What do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? A new podcast called Wisecrack, where a comedian finds himself at the center of a chilling true crime story.

[DJ Envy]

Does anyone know what show they've come to see? It's a story. It's about the scariest night of my life.

[Enya Umanzor]

This is Wisecrack, available now. Listen to Wisecrack on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mandy Money]

Do we really need another podcast with a condescending finance bro trying to tell us how to spend our own money? No, thank you. Instead, check out Brown Ambition. Each week I, your host, Mandy Money gives you real talk, real advice with a heavy dose of I feel useless. Like on Fridays. Take your questions for the Baqa. Whether you're trying to invest for your future, navigate a toxic workplace. I got you. Listen to Brown ambition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Jenica Lopez]

Hi, I'm Jenica Lopez, and in the new season of the Over Comfort podcast, I'm even more honest, more vulnerable, and more real than ever. Am I ready to enter this new part of my life? Like, am I ready to be in a relationship? Am I ready to have kids and to really just devote myself and my time? Join me for conversations about healing and growth, all from one of my favorite spaces, the kitchen. Listen to the new season of the Overcomer podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Charlamagne tha God]

This is an iHeart podcast.