‘Don’t Let Your Lying Eyes Be Deceived,’  Says Defense Attorney in Stabbing Trial

By Emily Reed [former] , Mackenzie Konjoyan [former] - June 12, 2024
Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

“Don’t let your lying eyes be deceived by what the [prosecution] is going to ask you to assume,” said a defense attorney to a jury in the courtroom of DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on June 11.

Antoine Donvell Johnson, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury, and unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Jan. 15. One individual sustained injuries from the incident. 

“Do not check your common sense at the door,” defense Attorney Matthew Rist said. “Antoine Johnson acted in self-defense.”

According to the prosecution, multiple video footage perspectives from the DC Jail depict an individual, identified as Johnson, in a physical fight with the victim. Officers went to the scene and used pepper spray to calm the situation. The victim was found with multiple stab wounds, and was taken to the jail infirmary.

“That defendant started it, escalated it, and finished it,” said the prosecution inclosing arguments.

The prosecutor encouraged the jury to pay special attention to three things in the video evidence–body language, the location of the fight, and the timing.

In recalling the responding officer’s testimony, the prosecutor said he saw Johnson on top of the victim with a knife in his hand. The officer also testified about attempting to pepper spray the individuals in the fight, but inadvertently sprayed himself.

Prosecutors also reviewed a correctional officer’s body-worn camera footage, which depicted Johnson throwing a knife and continuing the fight as the officer yelled, “Stop!” 

Through their closings, the prosecution argued that the amount of force Johnson used was not reasonable at the time, as he was not in imminent danger, stating that any “threatening comments” made toward him only created potential future problems.

They also argued that his claims of self-defense were unfounded, adding that Johnson cannot use self-defense because he was the aggressor. 

However, Rist, insisted the prosecution’s arguments were “misinterpretation and speculation.” 

He pointed out that only one of the three individuals involved in the argument and fight were called to testify, the defendant, Johnson. 

“I ask you to credit the only individual, who said he was scared to testify, right now,” Rist told the jury.

According to Rist, at the time of the incident, Johnson was in imminent danger due to a third individual attempting to give the victim a knife. He insisted that Johnson acted “under the heat of passion,” his fear justifying the use of force.  

Johnson realized, Rist stated, he was surrounded with no escape. He allegedly overhead the victim say, “The men around you are saying you’re dropping notes on me” and “you got to roll or yeah” as potential threats.

He explained that Johnson felt he was in a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation, with no choice but to stand up for himself. He then asked the jury to consider, “Can you look afraid in jail?”

Appearing fearful or acting weak would not be tolerated by the other inmates, Rist explained. The only reasonable response to the situation, as described by Rist, was for Johnson to act in self defense as he was confronted by other inmates calling him a snitch.

“What Mr. Johnson was worried about at that time was not his personal safety, but his reputation,” the prosecution’s attorney responded to Rist, insisting Johnson was the aggressor.

Parties will reconvene when the jury reaches a verdict.