Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to Five Charges for 2021 Stabbing

By Maggie Rhoads [former] - July 19, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

A homicide defendant was arraigned for his charges in front of DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on July 19.

James Lewis, 46, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a prohibited weapon and three counts of contempt for allegedly killing Brenea Franklin, 30, on Jan. 31, 2021, on the 1100 block of Bellevue Street, SE. 

According to court documents, Lewis allegedly stabbed Franklin in the neck. Lewis was later identified by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers through video surveillance footage and arrested on April 2, 2021. 

After the arraignment, Lewis’s defense attorney, Mani Golzari, filed a motion requesting the prosecution release evidence saying one of the witnesses, who Lewis allegedly sexually assaulted, who is going to testify during trial, has a history of lying and is not mentally well.

Golzari said the prosecution has a history of hiding evidence from the jury and wonders how many defendants are currently held for the same reason. 

Due to Golzari becoming frustrated, the prosecution requested he remain professional. Judge Raffinan agreed, saying Golzari should stick to the facts of the case. 

Judge Raffinan ruled this matter doesn’t pertain to Lewis’ case. 

Parties also discussed Lewis’ contempt charges with Golzari recommending they be dropped because they are irrelevant to his homicide charges. 

D.C. Witness previously reported that the prosecution said Lewis violated his stay away order by allegedly calling a witness while being held at DC Jail. The calls went unanswered by the witness in question, but the call was traced to Lewis’ unique pin number.

According to the prosecution, the contempt charges stem from his attempts  to contact a witness  through a phone call while being held. 

Due to time constraints, parties are slated to discuss the motion to sever charges at a later date.

Parties are expected to reconvene on Nov. 8.