Judge Finds Probable Cause in November Homicide

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 17, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A D.C. Superior Court judge found probable cause Jan. 17 that a 46-year-old man was involved in a November homicide.

Antonio Booze is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 37-year-old Eugene Johnson in his apartment on the Unit block of Galveston Place, SW. Apparently, an unidentified individual in the apartment sustained non-life threatening injuries during the shooting.

During the hearing, a detective on the case said Johnson was trying to “diffuse” an argument between Booze and the wounded witness. He was shot in the process. The detective said Booze and the unidentified victim were arguing about money.

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows an individual walking towards Johnson’s apartment wearing a dark-colored beanie, which police found at the scene of the homicide. DNA evidence later connected the beanie to Booze.

The wounded witness initially told police that he was sleeping in the apartment when Booze entered with a gun. The witness allegedly fought with the defendant and eventually took the gun from him and attempted to fire, but the gun jammed. Booze was able to take the gun from the witness and opened fire, the detective said.

Subsequently, the wounded witness said that Booze shot at Johnson first. 

Defense attorney Judith Pipe argued that there was no evidence that her client shot Johnson. Based on the injured witness’s initial account, Pipe said her client wasn’t the first person to brandish the gun. Pipe said it was likely that the witness shot the victim and noted that the wounded witness’s refusal to identify Booze as the shooter. Furthermore, she added that her client may have been acting in self-defense because the witness took the gun and tried to shoot.

The prosecution argued that a neighbor heard individuals in the apartment arguing and, at one point, heard Johnson say, “hold on.” Apparently, the injured witness owed Booze money, which gave him motive.The prosecution said it was likely Johnson was shot in the process.

Judge Juliet McKenna found probable cause because of the detective’s testimony,  surveillance footage and DNA evidence linking Booze to the scene of the crime.

Judge McKenna ordered Booze be held without bond, citing a prior Bail Reform Act violation and because the defendant tested positive for cocaine when he was arrested. The judge said Johnson presented a threat to the community and added that there was a child in the house at the time of the shooting.

Booze is scheduled for a felony status conference on April 17.

Iesha Byrd contributed to this article.