Judge Finds Probable Cause from Child’s Statement

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 7, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

An 11-year-old child, who witnessed a double homicide, identified the murder defendant and his wife, according to a Metropolitan Police Department detective.

Alonzo Lewis is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Venius Badgett and Jaquon Helm on the unit block of Galveston Street, SW on May 26. Lewis was arrested on May 31.

According to court documents, the 11-year-old eyewitness saw Lewis stand over Badgett, 35, and shoot her before shooting Helm, 40. The victims had five children, who were not injured during the altercation.

According to a retired Maryland detective, one of his sources said Lewis’ wife initiated an altercation and then called her husband. The husband allegedly shot both victims and disassembled the firearm, discarding it into dumpsters. Police have not located the murder weapon nor pieces of it.

Helm was not breathing when police arrived on the crime scene. The District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Helm was shot multiple times in the head and chest. Helm was lying next to Badgett, who died at the hospital.

During a preliminary hearing on Aug. 6, Craig Hicken, Lewis’ defense attorney, argued that the 11-year-old witness should not be considered reliable due to age.

However, after reviewing the evidence, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson found that the 11-year-old’s account was corroborated by pictures taken at the crime scene, video footage from a surveillance camera and other testimonies. Judge Dayson found probable cause with substantial probability that Lewis could have committed the murders.

The prosecution extended a plea offer for two counts of second-degree murder while armed, but Lewis rejected the plea.

A felony status conference is scheduled for Oct. 30.