Counsel Questions Witness’s Credibility

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 4, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During closing arguments June 4, the prosecution and the defense questioned the credibility of an eyewitness in a murder case.

Kenneth Bellamy is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting 23-year-old Michael Jones, Jr. on the 3500 block of East Capitol St., SE in December of 2015. Bellamy, 35, is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

The prosecution’s closing argument was dependent on one eyewitness’s testimony. Even though the witness admitted to perjury, the prosecution is relying on him to tie their case together because he is apparently the only person who can place Bellamy at the scene of the crime. The defendant’s DNA was not found on the scene, according to counsel.  

Even though counsel agreed that the eyewitness is a bad liar, they questioned why the witness would try to protect another witness who is dead. The prosecution also pointed out how the defense’s closing argument relied largely on speculation such as an unsupported theory the victim’s friends and the eyewitness planned the murder.

The prosecution told the jury that, if the eyewitness was in on the crime, he would have used the six months before the trial began to come up with a better story than the one he provided in his testimony.

Bellamy had a third charge, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, but it was dismissed. The charge was dismissed after DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman questioned the legality of charging Bellamy with two crimes that covered the same offense. Apparently, the charge is covered by other charges in the case, and Bellamy couldn’t be convicted of the same crime twice.

Bellamy’s defense attorney, Jon Norris, said the eyewitness’ story did have some significance in the case, but he didn’t trust the witness’s honesty.

Norris said he didn’t find the eyewitness reliable because he admitted to perjury. Norris also said the eyewitness had a suffiecient amount of time to make up Bellamy’s involvment in Jones’ murder.

According to the defense’s theory, the deceased witness was also a suspect for Jones’ murder. Apparently, the man was closely acquainted with Jones.

The jury began deliberations on June 4.

Brooke Welsh, Nick Slater, Julia Guercio and Megan Grote contributed to this article.