Defendant Testifies He Was ‘Afraid for My Life,’ In Homicide Trial

By Rohan Naval , Betty Yigebahal - April 18, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Documents | Domestic Violence | Homicides | Shooting | Victims |

“I was afraid for my life,” said a homicide defendant during a jury trial on April 17 before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein’s courtroom. 

Stephon Williams, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in shooting his 49-year-old father Stephen Magruder on Sept. 11, 2020, on the 700 block of 51st Street, NE.

According to previous testimony by Magruder’s widow, the shooting was the likely result of a disputed five dollar marijuana transaction.

Jason Tulley, Williams’ defense attorney, called him to testify regarding his childhood and the events leading up to the shooting. Williams repeatedly stated his father “punched [him] at will,” and that he often used a “three-piece,” a reference to three punches delivered in sequence. He added that his father also punished him with a jump rope, belt, and stick.

“Every time he hit me I would cry as a kid, ”he said

Williams stated his mother was unaware that Magruder beat him repeatedly even though Magruder was accused of abusing her.

During his testimony, Williams said Magruder bragged about his involvement in beating a man with a chain.

Regarding the shooting, Williams stated after he got marijuana from Magruder. They got into a confrontation about five dollars and Magruder began punching Williams repeatedly. 

“He said he was gonna hurt me and kill me,” Williams told the court.

As Magruder was beating him, Williams said “I love you and I’m your son.” However, Magruder continued to punch him. Williams testified that, during the struggle, Magruder tugged at a fanny pack that Williams was wearing, causing a gun used to fall out of it.

Both men reached for the gun as Williams retrieved it. 

“I thought he was going to kill me,” testified Williams, adding that “everything happened so quick” and he “didn’t want to shoot [Magruder].” 

According to Williams, after the incident, he “left the area” and dumped the gun in a trash can. 

“I wish it never happened,” insisted Williams, expressing that he still misses his father. 

On cross-examination, the prosecution asked Williams about the time he spent with Magruder when he was a child. 

Williams said he met him occasionally as a child and sometimes spent weekends with his father, but they never lived together. He added that, as an adult, he occasionally spent time with Magruder at a recreational center. 

When asked what would cause his father to beat him, Williams shared that Magruder, “hit me even when I never argued.”  

According to Williams, during the killing he told Magruder he had the money. However, Magruder kept punching him. 

Following Williams’ testimony, Tulley called previous victim of a traffic assault by Magruder. 

According to the victim, in 2017, while cycling in the District of Columbia, he was assaulted by a man driving a silver SUV.

While waiting at a red light, the silver SUV “clipped” his bike and cut him off while yelling profanities at him.

The victim testified he continued biking, and at the next block the man driving the silver SUV pulled over and exited his vehicle. The driver grabbed a motorcycle chain from his trunk and started “swinging” at him.

According to the victim, the driver was, “just really angry.” 

He testified that, after being hit multiple times by the driver, he was able to get away. He photographed the license plate of the vehicle and called 911 as the driver left.

The victim testified that he suffered from severe bruising and internal bleeding due to the incident. 

He identified the suspect, who was prosecuted and pleaded guilty, as Magruder.

Parties will meet again for trial on April 18.