‘I Feared For My Life,’ Defendant Testifies in Murder Trial

By Elizabeth Brady - November 15, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Victims |

The defense presented their only witness, the defendant, to tell his side of the story in a murder trial in front of DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Nov. 13. 

Rafeal Stevens, 39, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict.

These counts stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Aniekobo Umoh that occurred on Dec. 29, 2022, on the 2000 block of 7th Street, NE. 

Jermall Johnson, 40, is also charged in connection to Umoh’s death. On Oct. 28, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted the defendants’ request to sever their cases, which allowed them to be tried separately. 

During the hearing, Judge Epstein granted the defense’s motion for acquittal of two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon due to lack of evidence. The prosecution had added this charge due to a mother and child’s being present at the scene of the crime. The judge ruled the shooting was at point-blank range and not in their direction. 

The defense called Stevens to provide context for the shooting. Stevens said the altercation occurred when he confronted Umoh and asked, “Please stop selling my sister drugs.” According to Stevens, Umoh responded, “F*** you, Imma crush you, Imma kill you.”

The prosecution had described these events as premeditated, with Johnson as Stevens’ accomplice. Stevens said he told Johnson he was going to approach Umoh, but “there was never a plan,” according to Stevens. 

Prosecutors called Stevens’ report of Umoh’s words, “the threat nobody but you heard.”

“I don’t have a relationship with him like that,” Stevens said. Johnson grew up in the same neighborhood but they never texted or called each other. According to Stevens, they were just acquaintances.

The prosecution questioned Stevens’ protectiveness toward his sister, given his criminal history of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and crack cocaine, his sister’s drug of choice. 

Stevens said he has turned his life around since then. 

“That’s what goes on in that neighborhood,” Stevens said multiple times. He said he moved out of the neighborhood to raise his child because he didn’t want them exposed to violence and drugs. 

The prosecution accused Stevens of shooting while running from the altercation after the fatal blow to Umoh. 

“I thought they were shooting at me,” Stevens said, “I feared for my life.” He explained that he heard two additional gunshots and responded by shooting behind him without looking carefully. 

“You did it to finish the job,” the prosecution said.  

The parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 14.