Juror Facing Personal Emergency Replaced in Murder, Conspiracy Trial

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In an ongoing conspiracy and homicide co-defendant trial DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt replaced an absent juror during a June 20 hearing and deliberations resumed as scheduled.

Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 22, are three of five individuals charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, assault with the intent to kill while armed, first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW.

During the hearing, Judge Brandt alerted the parties that deliberations were temporarily halted due to a juror’s personal emergency, expressing this would have “no positive effect” on the rest of the panel, and it was unclear when that juror would return.

Andrew Ain, Freeman’s defense attorney, requested an alternate juror be called to continue claiming that resumption at a later date would “needlessly consume” deliberations.

Parties are slated to return June 24.