Court selects jury for Clifton Johnson Trial

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 19, 2017
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

The court moved forward Monday with a jury selection as they prepared to head to trial for Clifton Johnson, in his connection with  24-year-old Dwayne Grandson’s murder.

The judge told potential jurors that they “took an oath” and it is hers as well as the lawyers’ jobs to make sure they (jurors) are as unbiased as possible in this case. They were each given a note card to answer series of questions relating to whether they had a criminal history, felony charges and if they had “any relations” to Johnson, Grandson, or the lawyers.

Potential jurors who answered yes to knowing the lawyers in this trial were disqualified. Those who had family members that worked in law enforcement, including parole officers were also disqualified. At the end of the day, jurors were narrowed down from 20 to 12.

The government read to  jurors names of witnesses who would testify during trial beginning with Officer Jonathan Fleming, who was assigned to the scene the night of the shooting. Grandson’s mother Lorraine Grandson, Tjuana Price and Tanya Harris who were also at the scene when Grandson was murdered are also expected to testify.

Defense told the jury it would bring forth Detective Manuel Isaac Duvall, who investigated the case.

Johnson was arrested in November of 2015  in the 2500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

When police arrived at the scene, they found Grandson and Johnson suffering from gunshot wounds. They were immediately taken to a local hospital where Grandson died from his injuries.

Johnson is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license. He is being held without bond as he awaits his trial to begin Tuesday.