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By
Brigette Bagley
- March 10, 2025
Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur heard parties closing arguments and denied acquittal in a nonfatal shooting trial on March 6.
Dupre Jones, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, second-degree cruelty to children, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and unlawful discharge of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 4500 block of First Street, NW, on Oct. 11, 2024. No injuries were reported.
Jones’ defense attorney, Adgie O’Bryant, filed a motion for judgment of acquittal, citing the prosecution’s lack of “strong enough” evidence and witnesses.
Judge Arthur denied the motion, stating, “Issues of credibility should be given to the jury, not to the judge,” especially as he believes sufficient evidence has been presented.
Before resting their case, prosecutors called two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers to testify. The first officer described recovering a firearm allegedly from Jones’ pant leg and placing it in an unsealed evidence bag, to submit for forensic analysis. The prosecution later presented the firearm to the jury, which the officer identified based on the evidence bag matching the case information.
The second officer responded to a ShotSpotter alert that turned into a 911 response call. He testified he spoke with the victim, who walked him through the incident, physically around the apartment complex. He and two other officers recovered two bullet casings, one from outside the apartment building, and one from inside the victim’s apartment.
The responding forensic scientist also testified, stating he disengaged the firearm, recovering six cartridges in the magazine and one in the chamber. He also verified the weapon based on its serial number and his handwriting on the evidence bag. The prosecution says the evidence gun is likely the one recovered from Jones.
Both parties then rested their cases before the jury after Jones declined to testify.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 10.