Defense Says Client Reacted out of Fear and in Self-Defense

By Vivien Williams [former] , Caitlin Blackman [former] - June 25, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied June 21 the release of two co-defendants who were allegedly involved in a shoot-out with individuals in a Chevy Cruze near Dunmore High School. 

Azhari Graves, 18, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. 

Saki Frost, 17, faces the same charges plus two counts of assault with intent to commit any other offense while armed and two additional counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. 

Frost and Graves allegedly fired shots at the Chevy Cruze on May 3. One of their bullets went through a classroom window and struck a juvenile female in the head. The school is located a the intersection of the 1200 block of Kirby Street, NW and the 100 block of N Street, NW.

Attorneys for both defendants argued that this was an act of self-defense. 

“His actions were, to me, reminiscent of an individual afraid for his life,” Frost’s attorney, Darryl Daniels, said of his client.

“The occupants of the Chevy Cruze, in their own text messages, admit that they shot first,” stated Hannah Claudio, one of the attorneys for Graves. 

The prosecution argued against the claim of self defense, noting that the co-defendants fired “29 shots in a very short amount of time” and that the defendants were “running in the same direction as the vehicle and not away from it.”

Judge Raffinan ruled that “the weight of the evidence leans in favor of detention.” 

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 20.