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By
Adriana Marroquin
- December 18, 2024
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun ruled that the prosecution had sufficient evidence to prove that a defendant was the shooter in a homicide during a Dec. 16 hearing.
Maurice Jackson, 62, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Olivia Graves on Nov. 7, on the 700 block of Atlantic Street, SE.
The lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) homicide branch testified that six eyewitnesses stated the shooting stemmed from an altercation between Jackson’s wife and her grandson, who was accompanied by Graves.
According to the detective, Jackson’s wife confronted her grandson after he allegedly stole her money. During the altercation, which the detective claims got physical, Graves allegedly intervened and asked Jackson’s wife to stop the fight as her young nephew was watching.
The detective testified that multiple witnesses told MPD that Graves brandished pepper spray and threatened Jackson’s wife she would use it if she didn’t stand down.
Following the verbal dispute between Graves and Jackson’s wife, who at some point retrieved a baton from her vehicle, Jackson is alleged to have appeared with a gun and stated “I’ll kill all of y’all if you don’t leave my wife alone.”
According to the detective, witnesses stated Jackson shot Graves soon after then fled.
The gun has not been recovered the detective told Judge Okun. Terrence Austin, Jackson’s attorney, emphasized that, aside from the pepper spray, MPD recovered a knife from Graves’ purse, which witnesses claimed was inside of her purse in a vehicle during the dispute.
According to court documents, which the detective adopted as part of his testimony, as MPD was talking to Jackson’s wife at the scene, Maurice Jackson returned and told officers he was the shooter. He was arrested at the scene.
Austin argued Jackson acted to defend his wife, and Judge Okun should not find probable cause.
However, the Judge ruled that there’s sufficient evidence to prove Jackson’s involvement, and stated the deadly force was not necessary. He ordered Jackson remain detained as he awaits further proceedings.
Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 21, 2025.