Case Acquitted: Prosecution Says Homicide Defendant Was, ‘Judge, Jury and Executioner’

By Birchard Allen IV [former] , Hayden Clark [former] - July 31, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Editor’s note: On Aug. 1, a jury acquitted Jarvis Jackson of all charges connected to the homicide of Deont’e Minor. 

Parties in a homicide case delivered closing arguments to a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein’s courtroom on July 30. 

Jarvis Jackson, 42, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm from a prior conviction for the alleged fatal shooting on Deont’e Minor, 23, on March 20, 2021, on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who testified on July 29, was brought back to the stand by the prosecution and said he knew of the allegation that Jackson was robbed several weeks before the homicide.

When Jackson was brought in for questioning said the detective security footage from the investigation room shows Jackson reacting in confusion to a picture of Minor, saying that he didn’t know who that is. 

Several other witnesses were brought to the investigation room and were all shown the same picture of Jackson, and all of them identified him as Jarvis Jackson, nicknamed “JV.”

On cross-examination, defense attorney, David Knight, asked the detective about his suspicion that “a snake” among Minor’s friends might have played a role in Minor’s death.

The witness testified that Minor told an individual at some point that if something ever happened to him, that people should “look to my brother,” meaning a friend turned against him. The detective also said no weapons were found when Jackson’s residence was searched.

On redirect, the prosecution noted the search warrant wasn’t executed until six months after the homicide. 

“Jarvis Jackson had the motive, had the opportunity, and had the determination to end the life of Deont’e Minor,” said the prosecution in their closing statements.  

The prosecution also described Jackson as Minor’s “judge, jury and executioner.”

Through a combination of phone records, cell tower connections, and security footage before, during, and after the homicide. the prosecution argued that Jackson allegedly planned the attack with his then love interest, who had a white Chevy Cruze, to kill Minor. 

Video footage revealed a person identified as Jackson in a white Chevy Cruze around the Arbor View apartments, the location where Minor was picked up by the Uber and near the homicide, less than half a block away.

The prosecution argued Jackson was seen later in the day as he was dropped off from a white Chevy Cruze, then walked to the crime scene and shot at the Uber Minor carrying Minor, and fled.

The prosecution said phone records and cell tower data indicate Jackson coordinated with his ex-girlfriend for a pick up location after the shooting, then drove away.

Due to time constraints, the parties were unable to conclude their arguments. 

Parties will reconvene on July 31.