Case Acquitted: Judge Denies Home Confinement for Funeral Shooting Suspect

By - July 28, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

This case was acquitted on Dec. 1, 2023.

On July 28, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld reaffirmed probable cause and denied the defense’s request to modify Saphire Johnson‘s release conditions. 

Johnson, 24, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged involvement in a shooting that left one individual injured on the 4100 of Alabama Avenue SE on June 28. 

Surveillance footage allegedly shows Johnson pulling the trigger and hitting a bystander in the lower left jaw. The incident took place in a church parking lot after a family member’s funeral. 

Defense counsel Varsha Govindaraju hoped new enhanced surveillance footage of the incident would strengthen Johnson’s claim of self-defense. Even so, Judge Hertzfeld ruled in favor of the prosecution, maintaining the probable cause status from a previous preliminary hearing. 

Defense counsel requested home confinement, offering character references from leaders in the community, information on Johnson’s academic successes and a plan prepared for rehabilitation services. 

Although Johnson does not have a criminal history and is not considered to be a flight risk, Judge Hertzfeld denied the request based on the nature of the crime stating, “It is remarkable no one is dead,” emphasizing Johnson’s allegedly bringing a loaded gun to a funeral. 

The next hearing is set for Aug 7.