Judge Finds Probable Cause a Defendant Fatally Shot a Victim

By Jaclyn Sersland [former] - August 23, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Aug. 23, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein ruled there was probable cause a defendant was connected to a fatal shooting. 

Anthony Green, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the murder of 24-year-old Terrence Akindo on the 2300 block of 13th Place, NE, on July 30. He died from gunshot wounds to his head and chest. 

According to court documents, a witness told officers they heard Green allegedly say to Akindo, “What you say about my girl?” before shooting him on the street. The altercation occurred after Akindo allegedly accosted Green’s girlfriend earlier that day because Green allegedly failed to pay him $200 for marijuana five-to-six days before the homicide. 

Defense attorney Sylvia Smith questioned a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective about a different individual, who was arrested one week after the incident with a firearm, connected to this case. The detective said the MPD conducted no independent investigation to see if this individual was the shooter. 

According to court documents, an eyewitness said Green allegedly shot Akindo from a close range. However, the MPD detective said there was no soot from the shot which would have indicated the shooting was up close. 

Smith asked Epstein to find no probable cause Green shot Akindo because the prosecutor’s case relied on two eyewitnesses’ testimony which Smith said weren’t reliable.

Epstein disagreed saying there is probable cause Green committed the homicide because an eyewitness said they knew Green well and could identify him even though he was wearing all black clothing and a ski mask. 

Smith asked for Epstein to impose stay away orders and strict home confinement for Green because the DC Jail was “deteriorating” and “incarceration should be a last resort.” She mentioned Green’s having a child on the way and his minimal criminal history score as reasons release conditions could be implemented while ensuring the safety of the community. 

Prosecutors said they have “grave concerns” about releasing Green given the nature of the case and the fact Green has a pending attempted first-degree murder charge against him in Maryland for a shooting that allegedly occurred in Silver Spring on July 15, two weeks before Akindo’s homicide. 

Epstein denied Green’s release, saying the homicide was “approaching an execution.” 

Parties set a trial date for March 3, 2025. 

The next hearing is scheduled for April 26, 2024.