Homicide Defendant’s Release Conditions Modified

By Mia Febles , Mona Walls , Isabella Graf - January 12, 2024
Court | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Jan. 12, a homicide defendant’s release conditions were modified by DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein. 

Jason Lewis, 42, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Karon Blake, 13, on Jan. 7, 2023 on the 1000 block of Quincy Street, NE. 

In a hearing on Jan. 12, Lewis’s defense attorney, Edward Ungvarsky, asked Judge Epstein for a continuance in order to allow him time to properly investigate who was the initial aggressor in the incident. The defense attorney intends to hire several expert witnesses to consult regarding evidence in the case and to call as witnesses.

The defense alerted the court they plan to assert their rights to test DNA evidence that could potentially be found on a screwdriver, flashlight, and two automobiles recovered from the crime scene. 

Judge Epstein granted the continuance and set a new trial date for Aug. 5, 2024

Ungvarsky requested Lewis’ release conditions be amended, citing his full compliance for a year. Judge Epstein granted the request, removing the home confinement requirement, and setting a curfew of 10 p.m. to  6 a.m. with a GPS monitoring device.  

Parties are slated to return July 26.