DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson denied defense motion to acquit a homicide defendant of first-degree premeditated murder while armed on April 17.
Jamil Whitley, 38, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Kevin Redd on the 4700 block of Jay Street, NE on June 11, 2020. Redd sustained gunshot wounds to his left shoulder, left forearm, and chest.
In a hearing on April 14, James Brockway, Whitley’s attorney, motioned for a judgement of acquittal arguing that there was insufficient evidence. Judge Dayson denied the motion to acquit on all charges except for consideration of premeditated first-degree murder while armed.
At the hearing, several pieces of evidence were mentioned by Judge Dayson, including the Shell gas station surveillance video, in which prosecutors claimed that Whitley was holding a gun. However, Judge Dayson noted that the footage was unclear to definitively identify the object, and therefore said the claim has little value.
Judge Dayson also reviewed video footage that showed Whitley leaving the Shell not wearing a mask, then returning masked while picking up Redd.
Ultimately, the judge said the timing of Whitley’s movements aligned with Redd’s death. Thw act of concealing identity and transporting Redd to a more secluded location could reasonably support an inference of premeditation, according to Judge Dayson.
Considering the evidence, Judge Dayson denied Brockway’s motion for acquittal of premeditated first-degree murder while armed, finding that the prosecutors had presented enough evidence for a reasonable juror to find Whitley guilty.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 21 to resume the trial.
