Deadly Stabbing Case Handed to Jury After Closing Arguments

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 11, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

The trial for the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Ivan Lynch wrapped up with attorneys delivering closing arguments before the nearly four-year-old case was handed to the jury.

Marquette Jordan is accused of stabbing Lynch to death during the early hours of April 30, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. The 30-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault. 

The DC code describes first-degree murder as a purposeful killing or a killing while committing certain crimes. During closing arguments on April 7, a prosecutor told jurors that premeditation could be instantaneous and without a second thought. They alleged that Jordan grabbed a butcher knife, started swinging it at Lynch while he was on the ground and stabbed him six times, demonstrating an intent to kill.

The prosecution said Jordan and his girlfriend were engaged in an argument that turned physical. Lynch allegedly angered Jordan when he tried to intervene. Earlier in the trial, multiple witnesses testified that Lynch was not yelling at Jordan, with one of them describing the conversation as an “old man talk” from Lynch. 

The armed robbery charge is based on the allegation that Jordan took keys from Lynch’s pocket while he layed on the ground. Prosecutors have also accused the defendant of assaulting his girlfriend that night during their argument. 

Defense attorney Elliot Queen said Jordan and his girlfriend did argue, but it never got physical. He said his client did not swing at her or slap her, as still pictures of her from that night only show her with blood on her nose and a scratch on her arm. Queen argued this is not consistent with somebody who had been in a physical altercation hours prior. 

Jordan testified in his own defense towards the end of the trial. He said he pushed Ivan, prompting Ivan to pick him up, slam him on his neck and choke him until he was unconscious, D.C. Witness previously reported. After gaining consciousness, Jordan said he saw Ivan on the floor, grabbed the kids and left the apartment. 

 “What makes the most sense is what Mr. Jordan said happened,” Queen said. 

The prosecution argued that the defendant’s testimony contradicted that of other witnesses. Queen challenged the credibility of those witnesses, noting how some of them offered differing explanations as to why they waited to call 911. One said he was afraid of what Jordan may do, while another said they did not realize Lynch had been stabbed.

“Ten minutes is a lifetime. No reasonable person would wait 10 minutes to call 911,” Queen told jurors.

After the parties completed their closing arguments, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt gave the jury their instructions before sending them to begin deliberating. The deliberations were scheduled to resume on April 11.