Case Acquitted: Defense Claims Motive in Homicide Case is ‘Made Up’ by the Prosecution

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Editor’s note: On Aug. 1, a jury acquitted Jarvis Jackson of all charges connected to the homicide of Deont’e Minor.

Parties’ clashed over the motive in fatal shooting case before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on July 23.

Jarvis Jackson, 42, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction for allegedly fatally shooting Deont’e Minor, 23, on March 20, 2021, on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, Minor was in an Uber ride share when he was shot in the backseat as the vehicle was waiting to make a turn. The driver took the victim to a nearby hospital immediately after the shooting. Minor later succumbed to his injuries.

During opening statements, the prosecution stated that Jackson had a motive to shoot Minor, detailing an alleged robbery Minor committed against Jackson months prior.

The defense stated that Jackson is not guilty arguing that the robbery prosecutors alleged never happened, close friends of Minor pointed the finger at Jackson, and DNA evidence found in the area of the crime scene did not belong to the suspect.

Defense attorney, Madhuri Swarna, described the alleged robbery as “made up”, claiming Jackson had no motive to kill Minor.

During the hearing, the Uber driver testified he heard a loud bang while waiting to make a turn. The witness said he saw the shooter standing outside the vehicle when he looked back and then drove away to the hospital.

While the driver never looked back again to check on Minor, he testified he heard him “gagging” and presumed him to be injured. The witness testified that the shooter was wearing a black hoodie and black face mask but could not tell much else.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer reviewing body-worn camera footage, said he saw the injured victim lying outside the hospital receiving treatment and observed shooting damage to the vehicle damage.

The victim’s sister testified that she was in contact with Minor the day of the incident as they coordinated for him to arrive at her baby shower, the reason Minor was taking an Uber.

On cross-examination, the witness revealed she and Minor were on FaceTime shortly before the incident took place.

Parties are slated to return on July 24.