Case Acquitted: Judge Finds Probable Cause and Orders Defendant Held in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

By Rosie Rohrer [former] - July 24, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

This case was acquitted on Dec. 1, 2023.

On July 21, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond found probable cause in a case against defendant Saphire Johnson.

Johnson, 23, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on June 28 on the 4100 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. 

According to court documents, shots were fired from multiple guns outside a church following the funeral of one of Johnson’s family members. Johnson was injured, along with another victim, the complaining witness in this case.

The other shooter, who injured Johnson, has not been identified. 

The prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective to the witness stand, who testified to her knowledge of the events that day. She said that a family altercation occurred, after which the shots were fired.

Defense attorney Varsha Govindaraju highlighted the fact that multiple people were said to be aggressive toward Johnson and arguing outside of the church before the shooting.

Govindaraju argued that there is no probable cause in this case by reason of self-defense.

Judge Raymond agreed that there is a possibility the shooting was done in self-defense, but was not willing to rule that there was no probable cause because she said the evidence presented was not clear enough.  

Parties argued whether Johnson should be held awaiting her trial. Govindaraju detailed Johnson’s extensive volunteering, as well as 26 support letters from her family and members of the community.

Ultimately, Judge Raymond decided to hold Johnson given the violent nature of the crime. 

Parties are expected to return on July 25.