Case Acquitted: Judge Denies Motions in Trial Readiness Hearing for Non-Fatal Shooting Case

By Jai Bajaj [former] - November 13, 2023
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

This case was acquitted on Dec. 1, 2023.

On Nov. 13.  DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied defense motions in a trial readiness hearing for a 2023 non-fatal shooting case.

Saphire Johnson, 24, is charged with aggravated assault while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, destruction of property $1000 or more while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, for her alleged involvement in a shooting that took place on the 4100 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on June 28, 2023.

According to court documents the shooting took place outside of a funeral. Family members were gathering when an altercation led to a shooting between two individuals. Two people were shot, including Johnson, and transported to separate hospitals.

The hearing began with the discussion of previously filed motions by the defense to exclude the identification of Johnson by three separate witnesses.

The defense argued that the first witness, an eyewitness, did not have enough time to get an ample look at the shooter to identify them.

The prosecution argued that he had ample time to see the shooter, the witness was present before, during and after the shooting took place.

Judge Park agreed with the prosecutors, and said there was “Ample reason to believe that the identification was reliable.”

The other two witnesses have family ties to Johnson, and Judge Park said the identification of Johnson in court by these two witnesses was warranted.

Next, defense attorney Christen Phillips argued a motion to include implicit bias information which was filed on Nov. 9. Phillips requested that jurors see a video be shown in court about sexuality and views of homosexual women.

According to the motion filed by the defense Johnson identifies as a queer woman. The motion stated that implicit bias against LGBT+ and African Americans is common in the US. The video was meant to, “minimize the role of bias and prejudice during the jury’s deliberations”.

The prosecutor argued that the video was unnecessary. Judge Park agreed and denied the motion.

The parties also discussed a key witness who the defense recently found out has a mental health disorder. The defense is concerned the disorder could affect how the witness remembers and recalls information.

The parties will reconvene Nov. 14.