Homicide Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty at Arraignment

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On March 14, two homicide defendants were arraigned before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Jerome Dukes, 33, and Justin Borum, 34, are charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Jayvon Jones. The incident occurred Feb. 21, 2023, on the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE.

The incident also left two other individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.

According to court documents, the incident occurred in a courtyard, where multiple people were gathered. An individual who worked in the area for many years was able to identify the two defendants as the alleged shooters after reviewing surveillance footage of the incident.

During the hearing, Stephen LoGerfo, Borum’s defense attorney, who also acted as a stand-in attorney for Dukes, alerted the court that both defendants were pleading not guilty to all charges. LoGerfo also asserted their constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.

Parties are slated to return April 19.

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