Judge Finds Probable Cause 1 Defendant Murdered Vic, But Not the Other

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 3, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Uncategorized |

During a preliminary hearing on July 1, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause that one of the co-defendants was involved in a murder that occurred in April.

Xavier Culbreth is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing 40-year-old Jamal Ferrell at the Potomac Avenue Metro station located on the 700 block of 14th Street, SE on April 28. After police arrested Culbreth on June 21 after searching for him for weeks.

Judge Todd Edelman said there was enough evidence for him to believe that Culbreth convicted the offense. The case is still pending a grand jury.

On June 6, Culbreth’s girlfriend, Jada Jena Smith, turned herself in for the crime. She was also charged with first-degree murder.

After going through the evidence, Judge Edelman said that while Smith, 18, was on the scene and allegedly stole the victim’s wallet, she did not have direct involvement with the murder. 

According to court documents, a witness said the defendant and the victim were seen fighting outside the escalator entrance to the station. Surveillance footage shows Culbreth kick Ferrell down the escalator. The defendant then followed the victim down the stairs where he allegedly stabbed him several times.

According to an autopsy report by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia, the victim allegedly had meth in his system.

Culbreth, 19, is being held without bond while Smith was released on July 1.

The prosecution has until July 10 to provide the defense with additional discovery. The case is scheduled for a status update on Sept. 6.