Case Acquitted: Autopsy Reports Show Cause of Death in Homicide Case

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

This case was acquitted on Aug. 15, 2023.

On the third day of trial, a forensic pathologist from the DC Medical Examiner’s Office testified that multiple sharp force injuries were the cause of death in a homicide.

Jermaine Washington, 38, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Keon Bonner, 40, on the night of Oct. 26, 2021, in an alley on the 1500 block of Ogden Street, NW.

Using autopsy photos the pathologist explained on March 27 that the victim sustained 10 stab wounds, some as deep as seven inches. The cuts were inflicted on the victim’s face, both sides of his torso, upper-left back, left shoulder, and left hip.

Of the 10 stab wounds, two of them were apparently the most deadly. The two were on the victim’s left hip, where an artery had been punctured. The examiner explained that without immediate medical attention, an individual with that injury could bleed out within minutes.

In addition, the examiner explained that stab wounds could be deeper than the blade of a knife because vital organs can be compressed in the attack.

The detective who arrested Washington said he was searched and a knife was found in the waistband of his pants. The blade was approximately three inches long, fitting the description of the murder weapon.

DNA tests on blood samples from the victim and the accused were inconclusive in terms of links to the crime.

The medical examiner was the prosecution’s final witness and the defense does not intend to call any witnesses.

The trial is set to continue with deliberations beginning on March 28.