Judge Asks Charges Be Clarified for Jury Deliberating Murder, Conspiracy Case

By Gelela Tesfaye - June 26, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt advised attorneys to “wordsmith” the language contained in the charges which would assist the jury in deliberations.  

Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24,Koran Jackson, 23, and Stephen Nelson, 33, are three of five individuals charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill while armed, conspiracy, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW. This shooting left a second juvenile victim in the area  suffering from a gunshot wound to the right leg, according to court documents.

In the hearing on June 26, Judge Brandt briefly reviewed the explanation, finding minor problems that could lead to incorrect inferences.

Defense attorney Andrew Ain said there were issues with the indictment in that the term “conspiracy” was explained in two different ways that could ultimately confuse jurors. 

Judge Brandt said spelling out the five charges would clear up any confusion or misinterpretation. 

Defense attorney Lisbeth Sapirstein took the lead in tightening up the language for the charges, along with some added guidance from the prosecution, unnecessary phrases were removed, terminology was clarified, and more information was provided., 

The updated language was delivered to jurors on Wednesday. 

Parties are set to reconvene as deliberations continue on June 27.