Defense suggests real culprit in James Anderson murder is a drug gang

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 10, 2017
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

Defense attorney’s representing the man accused of the murder of 27-year-old James Anderson suggested in opening statements Wednesday that the true culprit is a drug gang.

According to the defense, 21-year-old Dujuan Garris is innocent and Anderson’s death is the the work of a drug-related gang. The defense said Anderson was a marijuana dealer whose business had gone on to include cocaine, and create enemies.

Defense Attorney Eugene Ohm cited instances when Anderson was robbed at gunpoint and threatened by members of the gang. Ohm said his client is not a part of any such gangs.

Shortly after the murder, a witness approached a detective with the names of six people in the gang. According to the defense, those suspects were never investigated and an email detailing those potential suspects was suppressed, and found again two years after Anderson’s death.

According to the defense, Garris had been in the Northwest quadrant of the city at the time of the shooting, which occurred in Southwest.

However, the prosecution detailed a different story.

In their opening statements, the prosecution told a narrative of a thin black man with long dreads who burst into the backdoor of a house filled with teenagers at 1337 1st St., SW. And to Anderson said, “Give that shit up.”

There was a struggle and Anderson was shot in the process. The prosecution said “that wasn’t enough” and the man shot the victim twice more.

The prosecution says Anderson’s murder was a premeditated robbery plot. “Fat Fat,” identified by the prosecution as Garris, was the shooter the night Anderson was killed, and enlisted the help of two lookouts, a man that goes by the nickname Smooth, and a 14-year-old boy called “nugget”.

Garris faces first-degree murder, attempted robbery and a variety of firearm charges.
Garris is being held without bail. The trial continues Thursday.