Defense Requests Body Camera Footage After Defendant is Arraigned in Homicide Case

By Hunter Fernandez [former] - February 16, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

At a felony status conference on Feb. 16, defense attorney Gemma Stevens requested the body camera footage for a homicide case after DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan arraigned the defendant.

Nyjell Outler, 20, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Demetris Levar Johnson, 21, on March 20, 2021, on the unit block of Madison Street, NE. The shooting occurred at a gender-reveal party of one of the defendant’s friends. 

Stevens also requested Grand Jury testimony. 

At the hearing, Judge Raffinan arraigned Outler, 20, on charges of first-degree murder premeditated while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, and assault with a dangerous weapon, all of which were committed during release. 

Outler pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

According to court documents, after arriving and speaking with a few guests attending the party, Outler leaned against a fence, pulled out a gun, and allegedly began firing at the guests. Two guests were injured, one of which succumbed to their injuries at the scene.

Outler is also facing charges for carrying a rifle or shotgun outside the home or place of business in a 2021 case and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence in a 2022 case. Both of these cases are being heard by DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow.

The defense requested that the next status hearings for all three cases be scheduled for the same date. 

Judge Raffinan agreed and reported that Judge Pasichow will hear the other two cases on the same day.

The next hearing is slated for March 31.