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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- September 19, 2019
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Victims
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During a felony arraignment Sept. 19, a murder defendant pleaded not-guilty to all charges.
MacArthur Venable is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 34-year-old James Eric Ferrell on the Unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE on Oct. 31, 2018.
Defense attorneys Lisbeth Sapirstein and Julie Swaney entered the not guilty plea on Venable’s behalf.
According to court documents, Venable, 34, got into a verbal altercation with Ferrell, which then turned physical. After someone attempted to separate them, a second altercation began. When the same person intervened again, Venable allegedly began shooting at Farrell.
During the hearing, the prosecution also requested grand jury documents relating to a prior case where Venable is also a suspect.
DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said she was not sure if the documents fell under her jurisdiction. Sh said she did not know if she would be able to obtain them.
Venable’s trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 14, 2020. During Venable’s next hearing, the defense will decide if independent DNA testing would be conducted. The next hearing is scheduled on Oct. 28.