Homicide Juror Dismissed For Fear of Retaliation

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A juror communicated concern to DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz‘s chambers about potential retaliation if murder and mass shooting defendants are found guilty. The issue came up during a trial proceeding on May 7.

William Johnson-Lee, 22, Erwin Dubose, 30, Kamar Queen, 27, and Damonta Thompson, 28, are charged with conspiracy, two counts of premeditated first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and three counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting that claimed the lives of 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner.

Dubose, Queen, and Johnson-Lee each have nine additional counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Queen and Thompson each face one additional count of first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, and Johnson-Lee has two more identical counts. Dubose, Queen, and Thompson are also accused of an additional charge of one or more counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

Dubose and Queen are also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, as well. Dubose was hit with additional charges of premeditated first-degree murder while armed and tampering with physical evidence. Finally, Queen and Johnson-Lee each have an additional charge of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021, and left three others suffering from injuries.

Toyia Johnson, 52, and Mussay Rezene, 32, are charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in assisting the other defendants in getting rid of the evidence and avoiding getting caught in connection with the case.

The fearful juror sent a note to Judge Kravitz’s chambers saying that he lives near an address that had been mentioned in witness testimony the day prior. He expressed fear of “retaliation” from anyone with an interest in the case, specifically if the defendants were found guilty.

All six sets of defense counsels filed a motion to dismiss this juror, worried that the person had already come to a guilty verdict based on his fear. Judge Kravitz granted the motion, excusing the juror.

Throughout proceedings on May 6 and 7, body-worn camera and surveillance footage was admitted into evidence from a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective’s testimony, as well as from a Department of Forensic Services (DFS) forensic scientist. The forensic scientist testified about the process of removing a gas can melted into a trash bin that the prosecution alleges belonged to the defendants.

The prosecution called another forensic scientist who was involved in the search warrant for Thompson’s home. The scientist testified about images of Thompson’s bedroom and tangible evidence found such as a facemask, cards, IDs, shoes, a sweatshirt, and a shoebox filled with mail matter.

The prosecution also called a relative of Thompson’s, who identified him in pictures and testified to the search warrant and his arrest. The witness said she did not know where he had been on the evening of Sept. 4, 2021.

“Kamar is the closest godchild I have,” said the final witness, explaining her close relationship to Queen. She identified him in multiple images and videos, and testified about her Oglethorpe residence getting shot at on the evening of Sept. 4.

According to previous testimony, Queen and friends were shot at while at his godmother’s home hours before the mass shooting. Prosecutors alleged that the defendants committed the mass shooting in retaliation.

Parties are slated to reconvene May 12.