Judge Admits Prior Bad Actions As Evidence in Shooting Trial 

By Elizabeth Brady - September 25, 2024
Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting |

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt granted a prosecutor’s request to introduce a shooting defendant’s prior bad acts through the victim’s testimony on Sept. 24. 

Jamal Coleman, 31, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault knowingly while armed, for his alleged involvement in a May 4, 2023 drive-by shooting that occurred on the 4600 block of Polk Street, NE.

According to the parties, Coleman acted as the driver of the vehicle when an occupant’s shot and injured one person. 

At the hearing, the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration to admit prior bad acts evidence through the victim’s testimony, which was filed on Sept. 23, was granted. 

Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller and Carrie Weletz insisted the motion doubles down on conspiracy charges and prejudicial information, as the defendant was not the alleged shooter and Coleman had no knowledge that the shooting would occur. 

Judge Brandt disagreed, and told them they would have a chance to question the victim themselves. 

Judge Brandt argued that the legal theory that allows the motion to be granted is based on Coleman’s alleged aiding and abetting of the shooter. Aiding and abetting allows an individual who may have not specifically acted in an incident to be charged with the same charges as the perpetrator due to their knowledge and encouragement of the incident.

Due to issues with the lead prosecutor, the trial, which was slated to begin Sept. 24, was delayed by a day. 

Parties will reconvene Sept. 25.