Parties Give Opening Statements in a Non-Fatal Shooting Trial

By Jai Bajaj [former] - October 20, 2023
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

On Oct 18, parties gave opening statements in a 2020 non-fatal shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Vincent James, 39, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place at a liquor store on the 3900 block of South Capitol St, SE, on July 30, 2020. One individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

According to court documents, there were ten shots fired during the incident. The victim was found conscious with there gunshot wounds to the upper body.

During opening statements, a prosecutor told the jury while, “There will be some things that you will wonder about at the end of this trial…one thing you are not going to wonder is who shot the victim, it was [James]”

According to prosecutors, surveillance footage proves that James committed the shooting. 

They say hours before the shooting, James used a credit card with his name on it at an AutoZone car parts store around the corner from the incident. They also cite surveillance footage from Autozone and security camera footage from outside the liquor store showing a man prosecutors identified as James wearing similar clothes in both videos.

The prosecution called the former owner of the liquor store who stated he recognized James as a customer who would come in every so often, but he was not there on the day of the shooting.

In her opening statements, James’ defense attorney, Susan Ellis, said, “[the prosecutor] has failed to put the pieces together,” adding, “[James] sits here as an innocent man”.

According to the defense, there is no DNA evidence or eyewitness testimony tying the suspect to the crime.

Ellis argued the evidence is not enough to prove that James shot the victim.

Parties will reconvene Oct 19.