Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Request for Release

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On Jan. 12, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo denied a murder defendant’s request to be released as he awaits further proceedings.

Lorinzo Thompson, 18, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a 14-year old Niko Estep on the 2600 block of 14th Street NW, on Nov. 3, 2023. The incident left another juvenile male suffering from gunshot wounds.

Thompson, who was 17 at the time of the incident, is being tried as an adult under Title 16, which allows prosecutors to charge juveniles as adults for crimes like murder.

On Jan. 8, Judge Demeo found probable cause that Thompson was the perpetrator in Estep’s shooting.

On Jan. 12, prosecutors argued that due to new law passed in 2023, there is a rebuttable presumption that Thompson’s release would be unsafe to the community, adding that the defense has failed and will not be able to rebut the presumption.

“This is one of the most serious offenses that can be committed in the District,” said the prosecutor, adding that Thompson is accused of killing a 14-year-old and injuring another juvenile in a public gas station. They added that, during the preliminary hearing, Judge Demeo ruled there was no proof of self-defense.

The prosecution argued further that, although he has no convictions, his pending cases in juvenile court are extremely concerning, including the fact that he was on release at the time of the shooting.

According to the prosecution, Thompson fired 12 or more gunshots in a public place, and continued to fire the gun until his magazine was empty. They added that, although the surviving victim was found to be in possession of an extended magazine, Thompson did as well, and he made sure he shot as many times as possible.

The prosecution added there are “serious concerns for the safety of the community,” arguing that there’s clear evidence Thompson’s mother was present at the time of the shooting and did not attempt to prevent it from occurring.

They also referenced letters of support sent in by Thompson’s family, where they stated they had missed the defendant through the holidays. “His family missed [him] during the holidays, but Estep’s family did too, and they will continue to miss him for the rest of their lives,” prosecutors insisted.

Due to the evidence, the nature and circumstances of the crime, prosecutors insisted no combination of conditions can ensure the safety of the community if Thompson is released.

Joseph Yarbough, Thompson’s defense attorney, noted that some of the victims could have had firearms on them at the time of the incident.

Yarbough added that a defendant’s history is the most important factor for the court to consider when discussing release, and Thompson has no convictions or adjudications, even if he has pending cases.

He argued Thompson has strong family support, and if released he will re-engage in boxing and plans to go to church, adding that Thompson wants to ensure he finishes his schooling, but is having difficulty doing so at the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF).

“His family is clearly surrounding him with love and support,” argued Yarbough, although no family members were present at the hearing.

He requested Judge Demeo release Thompson to home confinement or a curfew with GPS monitoring that would allow him to go to school and work.

Judge Demeo denied the request, stating there are “extremely troubling set of circumstances” in this case, adding that the weight of the evidence is strong.

“The mother seems to be complicit with what happened,” she stated, adding that his extended family members who sent letters of support may not be fully aware of what Thompson is involved in.

She agreed the prosecution had met their high burden that the safety of the community cannot be guaranteed if Thompson is released, therefore ordering he be detained pending further proceedings.

Parties are slated to return March 15.

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