Parties Argue Probable Cause Evidence in a Murder Case

By Sophie Griggs [former] - October 17, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 17, during the third day of a homicide preliminary hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt heard parties make their final arguments regarding probable cause.

Jaleil Jones, 18, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 44-year-old Robert Lavender that occurred on July 17 on the 600 block of Monroe Street, NE.

On Oct. 17, Kevann Gardner, Jones’ defense counsel, resumed his cross-examination of the lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

According to the detective, there was a witness that allegedly saw Lavender being “beat-up” by an individual while another individual watched, and that there was surveillance footage allegedly showing Jones and the unidentified individual walking to and away from the shooting location.

The defense argued that the MPD report and the detective’s testimony both state that no witnesses saw the shooting or someone holding a firearm near the scene. 

During final arguments, the prosecutor’s argument focused on the video footage and witness testimony that allegedly described and showed two men, identified as Jones and his companion, in the same clothes at several locations around Lavender. The prosecutor said, “they were the aggressors,” and “They cannot argue that they were the victims.”

In Gardner’s final arguments he said, “all that the MPD knew was that there were gunshots and that someone ran away from gunshots,” and “there is no weapon, there is no gun, there is no robbery”. Gardner also argued that the prosecution does not have enough evidence to support the homicide charges against Jones.

Judge Brandt requested additional time to thoroughly review all evidence admitted during the preliminary hearings. 

Parties are expected to return for the court’s ruling on Oct. 18.