Defense Attacks Witness’ Credibility in Jail Stabbing Trial

By Emily Reed [former] - June 7, 2024
Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

The prosecution and the defense argued a case of jailhouse violence before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on June 6.

Antoine Donvell Johnson, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury, and unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Jan. 15.

According to the prosecution, video footage from the DC Jail depicts an individual, identified as Johnson, in a physical fight with the victim. Officers went to the scene and used pepper spray to calm the situation. The victim was found with multiple stab wounds throughout his body, and was taken to the infirmary.

The prosecution called four correctional officers and an intensive care physician who treated the victim at MedStar Hospital Center corroborating the multiple stab wounds found on the victim’s body, and the details of the fight.

One of the officers, a corporal assigned to the quadrant of the jail where Johnson and the victim were held, testified that at the time of the incident, he was making rounds around the floor as “something wasn’t right.”

When he heard the fight break out, the witness testified, he attempted to use pepper spray against Johnson and the victim to “gain control of the situation.” However, fans blew the pepper spray back into his face. The witness was temporarily blinded and called for backup.

According to the witness, after clearing his vision, he returned to the scene to administer pepper spray a second time, when he allegedly saw Johnson with a knife, stabbing the victim. The witness identified Johnson in the courtroom.

During cross examination, the witness stated that the victim had spoken with another inmate in an “angry tone” before confronting Johnson “in an aggressive manner.” Additionally, he stated that the third inmate – with whom the victim was previously arguing – approached the fight.

It was after the third inmate walked away that the witness saw the knife.

Prosecutors also called on an officer with the tactical response unit (TRU) of the DC Jail, who testified to the video footage from his body-worn camera at the time of the incident. 

The footage, which was shown in court, showed the witness responding to an “all available” call, and arriving at the scene when the fight was happening. The witness pepper sprayed both the suspect and the victim before removing the victim from the situation.

The officer described the victim as appearing “distressed and disoriented.” He said he did not handcuff the victim because he was afraid he would pass out from losing so much blood. He then took the victim to the infirmary, who was later transferred to MedStar, according to the officer.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Matthew Rist raised questions about the officer’s credibility.

The officer stated that he did not recall talking to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) about the incident. This statement apparently contradicted his previous testimony given to a grand jury in January, where he confirmed that such a conversation had indeed taken place.

Another is an alleged phone call reporting charges of abuse against the officer by his signficant other. The officer said he was not informed about the report.

Judge Di Toro stated that Rist had the right to question the officer on his knowledge of the report at the time of Johnson’s investigation.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 10.