Judge Finds Probable Cause Defendant Committed Murder 

By Adriana Marroquin , Christopher Sivak [former] - February 8, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During a preliminary hearing on Feb. 8, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo found probable cause that the defendant allegedly murdered another individual on May 30, 2022.

James Jackson, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly murdering Christian Gabriel Monje, 29, on the 1700 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NW.

The prosecutor called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) lead detective on the case as a witness. The detective identified Jackson in the courtroom as being the suspect involved with the murder.

The prosecutor proceeded to show surveillance footage, which displayed the church steps where the murder had occurred. According to the surveillance, Monje approached the steps of the church with a bag and proceeded to sit on the retaining wall for an hour before an individual approached him.

Due to a gap in the video, there is no footage of the altercation between the individual and Monje. The surveillance does show Monje lying on the steps with his back against the retaining wall. 

The prosecutor then showed surveillance footage from an alley next to the church, which displayed an individual running through the alley with a bag and passing next to a dumpster that was blocked by a car. 

The detective stated that they recovered a P-80 9mm pistol underneath the dumpster, along with a magazine and ammunition. DNA evidence connected Jackson to the magazine.

The prosecution continued to show numerous other surveillance angles, which displayed the individual’s face. Surveillance also displayed the individual placing his jacket into a flower bed, which was later obtained by authorities. 

The detective also mentioned that a witness heard a gunshot and saw an individual wearing all black clothing on the steps with Monje, however the witness could not identify the suspect due to problems with their eyesight. 

The defense confirmed with the detective that there was no DNA evidence on the firearm, jacket, or ammunition that connected to Jackson. 

The detective also stated that the bag the individual took from Monje had not been recovered, although Monje’s family received the victim’s drivers license in the mail from an unknown source. 

The prosecution said  there was substantial probability and probable cause that Jackson committed the murder, while the defense argued the evidence was circumstantial at best and does not think substantial probability or probable cause should be ordered.

Judge Demeo found probable cause that Jackson allegedly murdered Monje. She said the surveillance video also indicates that the defendant stole the bag from the victim.

Jackson’s cell phone was also placed in the vicinity of the murder when it took place. 

Judge Demeo did not find substantial probability in the case. 

“Since he is gone, our family cannot go on anymore”, Monje’s mom told D.C. Witness . She said she is heartbroken because she will not get to watch Monje experience the bright future he had ahead of him. 

The parties are scheduled to return for a felony status conference on April 26.