Defense Urges Jury to Set Aside Sympathy in Homicide Trial

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Parties delivered closing arguments before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park in a homicide trial on May 1.

Ranje Reynolds, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Tarek Boothe on Jan. 31, 2022, on the 3200 block of M Street, NW.

According to the prosecution, Reynolds and Boothe were involved in a fight on Jan. 31, 2022. After Boothe won the altercation, Reynolds felt “disrespected” and later sought Boothe out again, after acquiring a firearm.

Reynolds was said to have injured his hand during the fight, with DNA evidence linking him to both the store where the fight happened and the area of where the shooting occurred, according to the prosecution. Furthermore, witnesses were allegedly able to identify Reynolds in surveillance footage of the scenes.

The prosecution reminded the jury of the key facts of the case.

Reynolds fled to Jamaica several days after the shooting, cutting off contact with his best friend and girlfriend at the time. Reynolds was even overheard confessing to the shooting while he was in Jamaica, insisted the prosecution.

The prosecution urged the jury to consider the evidence carefully, asking the jury why an innocent person would flee the country and ignore his closest friends.

Cheryl Stein, Reynolds’ defense attorney, told the jury “this case cannot be decided on sympathy,” during her closing arguments.

She acknowledged that Boothe’s family has attended every day of trial, and that “his death left a hole in many people’s lives,” but jurors must be impartial when reaching a verdict.

Stein focused on undermining the credibility of the FBI agent from the Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST) and the witness who overheard Reynolds’ confession in Jamaica.

She argued Reynolds’ cell phone was turned off for a period of time during the crime, in a “four minute blackout” where it was impossible to determine reynolds exact locationr.

As for the confession, Stein brought up the fact that the witness received $1,500 dollars for giving information that led to Reynolds’ arrest, and could receive more money if he is convicted.

Stein also disputed the prosecution’s video of Reynolds walking around Georgetown before the shooting.

She stated that this was not him “planning” or “rehearsing” the murder, but actually Reynolds blowing off steam because he was angry after losing the fight and under the influence of marijuana and alcohol. Stein asked the jury, “Who needs practice walking around the block?”

Stein to the jury to “to consider that [Reynolds] was too enraged to premeditate or consider.”

The prosecutor disputed Stein’s claims, stating that “there is no rage defense” and “we’re asking you to convict the defendant because the evidence dictates it.” She told the jury that yes, this is a sad case, but “based on the video evidence alone he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Parties are set to return once the jury reaches a verdict.