Double Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal, Moves Toward Trial

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Through his attorney, Joseph Yarbrough, a double homicide defendant rejected a plea offer from the prosecution and requested a trial date before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on July 19.

Jermiah Jordan, 33, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder premeditated while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of over one year for allegedly shooting 29-year-old Luke Whitaker and 19-year-old Zion Hollingsworth-Hayes on July 22, 2023, on the 1400 block of Girard Street, NW.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, officers responded to the shooting location, where they located Whitaker. Shortly after, they found Hollingsworth-Hayes on the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW. Both victims were dead.

The plea deal would have required Jordan to plead guilty to two counts of second-degree murder while armed with concurrent sentencing ranging from 22-to0-26 years in prison.

Prosecutors predicted a two-week long trial that will include DNA evidence. Yarbrough said he only expects to need up to two days to present his arguments.

The trial has been scheduled for March 2026.

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 16, 2025.