Defense blames eyewitness for shooting

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 11, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

On April 12, one day after the jury began deliberations, they found Vernon Hedrick not guilty for the murder of Titus Jackson.

During closing arguments, defense counsel for Hedrick blamed an eyewitness for the homicide of

Hedrick, who was 25 at the time, is charged with shooting and killing the 26-year-old on Sept. 11, 2014, on the 5200 block of Clay Street, NE.

According to the defense, the witness displayed guilt when he allegedly said “I can’t go to jail, I’m too young,” after the shooting because he feared he would be charged with murder.

Hedrick’s attorney, Rosemary Szanyi said the witness told detectives multiple stories over the course of three interviews, which showed he had something to hide. Additionally, the defense claimed malpractice because detectives lost the final interview.

Szanyi said Hedrick had no reason to kill Jackson, noting the prosecution never provided a motive.

The defense also said physical evidence wasn’t recovered even though the police searched both Hedrick and his girlfriend’s residences.

However, Assistant United States Attorney Jen Park said Hedrick, who knew Jackson for almost a decade, was captured on video allegedly following him before luring him into an alley. According to the D.C. Medical Examiner, Jackson died from a fatal shot to the head.

The prosecution argued the witness could be trusted even though he initially lied to the police.

The witness said he originally claimed he didn’t see the shooting because he was scared and did not want to be involved. He later testified that Hedrick was the killer.

Additionally, Park said Hedrick displayed a muted reaction when detectives accused him of murder, which showed guilt. She said he lied to detectives as well when he told them that he was visiting a friend.

Hedrick was charged with first-degree murder while armed.