Judge Finds Probable Cause, Holds Murder Defendant During Prelim

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A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial and that the defendant should remain at DC Jail.

John Philogene, 23, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged connection to the shooting of 34-year-old Evan Wood on March 27 on the 4200 block of 6th Street, SE. Woods was shot in the leg as he was running away from the shooter and died due to severe hemorrhaging, according to court documents.

During the June 30 hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that an eyewitness in the case has known Philogene for the past two years and would see him every day. The detective said this eyewitness said she saw the defendant shoot Woods and that, when he realized it, he put his hands to his lips and said, “shh.”

The detective also said Philogene also Facetimed the witness the next day and told her to keep quiet.

The detective said the eyewitness told him that she has used drugs before. According to the detective, the eyewitness used ecstasy night before the homicide. Ecstasy is a synthetic drug that, according to the DEA, “acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic.”

However, the eyewitness said she was sober the afternoon of the homicide.

Defense attorney Wole Falodun asked the detective if he knew when the eyewitness became sober after using the previous night. The detective said he only knows that she was sober both times she talked with him. 

Judge Marisa Demeo found that the eyewitness was coherent and present. She also pointed out that the eyewitness also told MPD information that helps the defense, indicating no ulterior motive.

The prosecution argued that Philogene is a danger to the community and should remain held. Falodun, however, argued that his client’s whole support system is in DC and asked for him to be released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) on 24-hour home confinement.

Citing how Woods was reportedly running away during the shooting and the allegation that Philogene told the eyewitness to keep quiet, the judge found probable cause and decided to hold him at DC Jail.

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8.