DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan found probable cause in a fatal shooting case on Oct 23.
Jaheim Brown, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Christopher Robinson, 28, on the 5500 block of B Street, SE, on Nov. 20, 2024.
In a hearing to determine probable cause, the prosecution claimed that it had “more than established” the that Brown shot Robinson.
According to the prosecution, there was a series of text communications between “Heim,” who they claim is the defendant’s nickname, and an eyewitness who was present during the shooting and had attempted to de-escalate the situation. These communications placed both individuals at the crime scene in the hours before the shooting. They also placed both individuals fleeing the scene immediately after the crime.
The prosecution also addressed an argument the defense made in a prior hearing, which was that the shooting was done in self-defense because Robinson had turned around to face the shooter before being shot, as shown in recovered Ring camera footage.
The prosecution argued the shooter had “pursued” Robinson, who was walking away from him, and that Robinson’s walking away would not have created the fear that would support a self-defense argument.
Defense attorney Kevin Mosley argued that the prosecution had “failed to meet even the very low threshold” for probable cause. Regarding the text conversations, Mosley stated that they only placed Brown near the crime scene, but did nothing to prove that he shot Robinson.
Mosley also argued against the eyewitness testimony. He claimed that the witness had “significant credibility issues” and was “deeply compromised,” having lied during a police interview and given officers three different accounts of the incident.
He also claimed that there was no physical evidence linking Brown to the offense, such as DNA. or images of him holding a firearm, and that there was no history “suggesting hostility or conflict” between Brown and Robinson that would implicate Brown.
Mosley responded to the prosecution’s arguments against self-defense, claiming that the witness described Robinson’s behavior as “strange,” and noted that drugs had been found in Robinson’s system.
Judge Ryan claimed that the Ring camera footage from the incident “establishes a number of things.” According to Judge Ryan, the footage disproved the defense’s self-defense argument because it showed Robinson walking away before being shot. He noted that Robinson turning around is “hardly indicative of self-defense,” and that the shooter following Robinson before shooting him was “gratuitous” and without an “obvious antecedent.”
Judge Ryan said that the “real question” in the case was whether to believe the eyewitness’ statements and identification of Brown as the shooter. Judge Ryan agreed that the person “lied several times” and was a “reluctant witness.” However, he found that the court could “look at the points of independent corroboration” to decide whether to believe the witness.
According to Judge Ryan, the witness claimed Robinson was “on some junky shit” but didn’t have a gun, and also stated that Brown did have a weapon that he pointed at Robinson, which the video also corroborated.
The judge noted that the witness accurately identified Robinson, another witness, Brown, and Brown’s car, which they would have no way of knowing without knowledge of the incident.
Regarding the witness’ unreliability, Judge Ryan noted that the witness said that he would die when he went home, “presumably for making the statement.”
Judge Ryan ultimately found that the witness’ statements were “quite consistent” with the footage from the Ring camera, and that the “points of independent corroboration” were “significant.”
He found probable cause for first-degree murder, and further found that Brown went to the scene “intending to kill Mr. Robinson.”
The prosecution argued against Brown’s release, citing the nature of the charge and the defendant’s past criminal history, which included a firearm conviction, and argued that firearm convictions are often “prerequisites” and “resume points” for homicide defendants. The prosecution also noted that, despite Brown’s “great and loving family,” he still allegedly decided to kill Robinson.
Mosley requested Brown’s release on 24-hour home confinement. He showed the judge seven letters of support from Brown’s family, and noted that the family had attended multiple hearings, calling Brown “well-surrounded.” He also explained that Brown worked willingly with the police during the investigation and was not a flight risk.
Judge Ryan responded that the defendant was actually not cooperative with the police, noting that, during an interview, Brown had “suddenly” forgotten the name of his child’s mother.
Regarding his flight risk, Judge Ryan claimed that Brown has a “significant incentive” to flee now that he is facing murder charges. While he appreciated the letters of support, Judge Ryan noted that he was not locking Brown up for his character, but for his crime.
Judge Ryan found that there were no conditions he could enforce to release Brown, and that watching the video of the shooting made it very difficult to imagine that Brown is not a danger to the community.
Parties are set to return on Jan. 16.
