During the first day of a homicide trial, before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Feb. 25, an off-duty police officer and another bystander testified they witnessed a fatal shooting ordered a disruptive person to leave the courtroom on Feb. 25.
Jerome Israel, 21, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed, three counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and two counts of destruction of property, for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of ChaQuan Barbett, 24, on Aug. 23, 2022, on the 2300 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE.
In their opening statement, the prosecution argued that Israel hid in an alley for 22 seconds before firing 12 shots at Barbett and fleeing in a stolen vehicle, killing the victim on Aug. 23, 2022. They claimed that on Aug. 25, 2022, less than 36 hours later, Israel returned to the scene and fired 14 more shots from the same stolen car with the same firearm.
Prosecutors outlined the evidence they plan to present, telling jurors they will review surveillance footage capturing the alley where the shooting occurred. They added that there will be testimonies from police officers, forensic specialists, and the medical examiner, who concluded the victim died from three gunshot wounds.
In addition, an eyewitness who allegedly identified the defendant and saw him with the victim the night of the incident will take the stand. Neighbors who saw or heard the shooting are also expected to testify, including an off-duty police officer who recorded footage of the moments after the gunfire.
Prosecutors stated that, on Aug. 25, 2022, officers responding to an unrelated crime near the incident scene heard gunfire and issued an alert for a stolen vehicle linked to the murder. They showed video footage of a crash where a suspect was seen fleeing and pointed to DNA evidence found on a firearm and other items inside the car, allegedly linking Israel to the stolen vehicle.
Investigators also said they recovered receipts, paperwork, and personal belongings of the car’s owner from Israel’s vehicle, suggesting he used car in the shooting, according to the prosecution.
Lisbeth Sapirstein, Israel’s attorney, challenged the prosecution’s argument, claiming that prosecutors were wrongfully combining the two separate cases – the Aug. 23 homicide and the Aug. 25 shooting and unauthorized vehicle use. Sapirstein urged jurors to evaluate each incident separately and avoid making the same connection.
Following opening statements, Judge Ryan ordered Israel’s uncle to leave the courtroom when he exhibited disruptive and combative behavior with court officials, stating “He can get out,” and warning that if he refused, the court would handle the matter “not in his favor.”
The prosecution called on Barbett’s sister, who described her brother as silly, loving, and kind-hearted. She testified that she FaceTimed him on the day of the murder, stating their conversation was lighthearted and full of jokes.
A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer also testified that he was off-duty at home when he heard three gunshots. The officer described looking out his window and seeing a man crawling in the street with one arm raised defensively as another individual fired at him. After hearing six or seven more shots, he saw the shooter tuck the gun into his pants, kick the victim in the head while saying “fu***** bi***,” pat his pockets, and sprint away.
The officer also reviewed the video footage he took that night, which captured the victim laying in the street and repeatedly screaming for help as the shooter fled.
Sapirstein clarified that the officer couldn’t make out clear details of the shooter or the victim beyond their clothing and gender.
An eyewitness, who knew the defendant’s father, testified that he was in a parked car on the day of the incident, when he saw Barbett walking ahead of another individual, later identified as Israel. After hearing gunshots, he looked back to see the victim collapse as the shooter fled the scene.
Although he could not remember the exact number of shots or other specifics from the incident, prosecutors noted that his 2022 interviews with detectives and grand jury testimony provided more details. The witness previously identified Israel as the suspect from a photo lineup and reaffirmed that identification in court.
When asked by Sapirstein what he saw, the witness stated that the shooter was about 10 feet away from Barbett and saw the defendant holding a gun– although he could not remember which hand the gun was in, nor its color or other identifying details.
The eyewitness also recalled that when speaking to detectives, he described the shooter as having nappy hair and facial hair—a description that did not match the photo the witness previously identified Israel from a photo lineup. Sapirstein asked the witness whether he needed glasses, to which he admitted he did, questioning his unreliability.
However during the prosecution’s redirect the witness clarified that he only needs glasses to read, not see at a distances.
Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 26.
