DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied a defense request to sever two co-defendants murder cases on Feb. 11.
Jayden Bracey, 24, and Jadohn Bracey, 26, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.The charges stem from their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Angela Washington, 42, on Sept. 21, 2021 on the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE. Washington sustained one gunshot wound to her head.
Jayden is additionally charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. Jadohn is additionally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.
Jayden’s attorney, Todd Baldwin, and Jadohn’s defense attorneys, Quiana Harris and Kevin Mosley, filed motions to sever the brothers’ cases in December 2025, asking for separate trials.
In the motion filed by Harris and Mosley, they claimed if the defendants were tried together, the prosecution would not have to meet their burden on each individual count. They argued there would be inherent bias because there is minimal evidence against Jadohn compared to Jayden, and their cases have “irreconcilable defenses.”
Baldwin’s motion explained that Jayden would be denied his right to present evidence of his innocence if there is a joint trial.
In court, Harris argued a joint trial would be detrimental to both defendants. Harris suggested that a jury could infer that one brother is “guilty by association.”
Harris added that the case involved two separate events that were not connected. The motion also requested that the murder and assault charges against Jadohn be severed, again, because of Harris’ argument they were separate incidents.
The prosecution argued that the defendants’ cases are connected and should not be separated. They added that the type of evidence for each is different but not unrelated and would not interfere with one another. They argued that the jury could analyze and judge both defendants independently of each other in a joint trial.
Judge Park denied the severance motion, stating that the cases are connected and he found no reason they would interfere negatively with each other, unless the defense teams presented specific evidence.
Parties are set to reconvene on Feb. 17 to further discuss the matter.
