Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Request for Release

By Isabella Graf , Ashley Drazka - January 21, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Jan. 19, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo denied a murder defendant’s request to be released as he awaits further proceedings. 

Tremon Jackson, 20, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Charles Towles on the 1400 block of L Street, SE, on Nov. 4, 2023. 

On Jan. 16, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found probable cause that Jackson was one of two perpetrators in Towles’ shooting. 

Although he has no prior convictions, the prosecution argued that there is a presumption that Jackson’s release would be unsafe to the community. 

According to the prosecution, in addition to the incident he is facing charges for, Jackson was previously found at the 1600 block of W St, SE, at a public park, in possession of a firearm. He was also allegedly seen later on the same block, in a music video he posted on YouTube, holding a firearm.

On Jan. 19, the prosecutor further argued that due to a pattern of firearm possession in public areas and because the other perpetrator has not been caught, Jackson’s release would pose a danger to the community. 

Prosecutors insisted no combination of conditions can ensure the safety of the community if Jackson is released. 

Russell Hairston, Jackson’s defense attorney, noted that he has ample family support and that Jackson’s girlfriend and his girlfriend’s mother had applied to several jobs on behalf of Jackson. 

Hairston added that there was no way to know if the firearm in the YouTube video was real, as other artists have used fake firearms in their music videos. 

Additionally, he argued that in the video of the shooting used as the primary evidence for the preliminary hearing, Jackson’s firearm was pointed away from the victim, and that the muzzle flashes came from the other perpetrator’s firearm.

Hairston argued there is no combination of factors that warrant pre-trial detention.

Judge Demeo denied the release request, stating that the nature and circumstances of the offense are “very troubling”, adding that the weight of evidence is very strong.

She agreed that the prosecution had met their high burden of providing “clear and convincing evidence that there are no conditions or combination of conditions that would reasonably ensure the safety of the community,” and therefore ordered Jackson be detained pending further proceedings.

Parties are slated to return on April 5.