Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty At Arraignment

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A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to all 15 charges against him during an arraignment on Sept. 6 before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Jelani Cousin, 18, was indicted on first-degree murder premeditated while armed, second-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of threat to kidnap or injure a person, and attempted second degree sex abuse–incompetent. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Ashlei Hinds on Jan. 1 at a hotel on the 4000 block of Military Road, NW.

According to arrest documents, Cousin was attending a party in a hotel room with several other young people when an altercation took place. Cousin allegedly fired a handgun at the hotel room door from the outside, allegedly striking and killing Hinds on the opposite side of the door.

At the hearing, Cousin’s attorney, Kevin Mosley, alerted the court his client was pleading not guilty to all charges, and requested a speedy trial.

The court granted the request for a jury trial in early February of 2025

Parities are set to reconvene on Nov. 15.