Judge Denies Homicide Defendant’s Motion for Release

By Jenna Lee - December 4, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a homicide defendant’s motion for release on Dec. 3. 

Rafeal Stevens, 39, is charged with voluntary manslaughter and was convicted of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Aniekobo Umoh  on Dec. 29, 2022, on the 2000 block of 7th Street, NE. 

Stevens was acquitted of first-and second-degree murder and assault with a dangerous weapon during a previous trial. 

Jermall Johnson, 40, is also charged in connection to Umoh’s death. On Oct. 28, Judge Raffinan granted the defendants’ request to sever their cases, which allowed them to be tried separately. 

At the hearing, the victim’s sister addressed the court and said she was asking that the defendant not be released because he has a “clear pattern of disregarding the law.” She said the defendant was a violent man and the defense’s arguments that Umoh’s aggression forced the defendant to shoot him is “troubling.”

She also said the defense referring to her brother as a “Nigerian Nightmare” was an “attempt to throw prejudice at my brother.” 

Defense attorney Jason Tulley argued the defense had no intent of being racist but wanted to show mitigating factors that may have caused Stevens to act in self defense. Tulley argued Stevens should be released because he was acquitted on the more serious murder charges and the prosecution has not adequately rebutted the defense’s theory of self defense or an accidental firing of the gun.

Judge Raffinan denied the motion, stating there was probable cause for the violent charge of manslaughter and Stevens has already been convicted of gun offenses, which weigh in favor of keeping him detained. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Dec. 9.