Judge Finds Substantial Probability in Homicide Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 27, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Documents | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that there was enough evidence against a homicide defendant to bring his case to trial. 

Steven Arrington-Rodgers, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 25-year-old Martez Jackson on Nov. 9, 2020, on the 1400 block of Howard Road, SE.  

During the April 27 hearing, defense attorney Douglas Wood argued that Arrington-Rodgers shot Jackson in self-defense after Jackson robbed him.

However, Judge Juliet McKenna found there was substantial probability Arrington-Rodgers committed the crime and was not acting in self-defense. She said the fact that he did not notify authorities after the crime suggested he did not feel he was in imminent danger at the time.

The prosecution said surveillance footage shows Jackson robbing Arrington-Rodgers at gunpoint and fleeing the scene in Arrington-Rodgers’ car. They said Arrington-Rodgers shot Jackson as Jackson drove away. 

Wood argued that the only evidence the prosecution has against his client is that he was at a public establishment when he was robbed at gunpoint in a matter of 15 to 30 seconds. Woods emphasized that Jackson had a history of violent crimes, including robbery, and presented a clear and present danger to his client. 

In the closing arguments, the prosecution noted that Arrington-Rodgers did not turn himself in right away, but was arrested two months later. They also said the shooting could not have been self-defense because Jackson was driving away immediately after the robbery with the windows up, trying to get away from the defendant. 

Wood argued his client only had 15 seconds to react and did not know if Jackson was reaching for his gun when he ran after the car speeding away. He also said the car contained information about his client and where he lived, which would present a continued threat to his and his family’s safety. Woods also said that, after the shooting, Arrington-Rodgers called his fiancé crying and told her to report the car stolen and used the two months before his arrest to gather funds to hire a lawyer.

Although Wood asked that his client be placed in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), Judge McKenna said Arrington-Rodgers’ prior robbery and firearms convictions were concerning. She also noted that, at the time of the crime, he was allegedly in illegal possession of a firearm and that his alleged actions could have caused numerous bystanders to be killed. 

She granted the prosecution’s request that Arrington-Rodgers remain held at DC Jail.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 8.