Judge Finds Probable Cause in Murder Case, Grants Defendant Release

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DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a homicide during a Jan. 22 hearing but released him conditionally.

Alfred Paulino-Del Rosario, 21, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a shooting that killed 21-year-old Jhonathan Guzman Hernandez on Dec. 30, 2022 on the 1400 block of Clifton Street, NW.

Guzman Hernandez was located at the 2400 block of 15th Street, NW, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Prosecutors contended that Paulino-Del Rosario partnered with another suspect during the incident, suggesting a conspiracy between the two.

While it remains unclear who delivered the fatal shot, prosecutors sustained that Paulino-Del Rosario actively participated in the victim’s death, and demonstrated clear intent to kill the victim. Prosecution played and reviewed video footage of the incident to assist her argument and stressed the fact that Paulino-Del Rosario fired the first shot.

However, defense attorney Molly Bunke, asserted that Paulino-Del Rosario’s mental state must align with that of the second suspect for him to be considered guilty of second-degree murder. Bunke emphasized the fact that there is no evidence that suggests that Paulino-Del Rosario shared the same intent to kill or inflict serious bodily injury as the other suspect.

After a lengthy debate, the judge ultimately ruled that there was sufficient probable cause to move the case forward. Following the ruling, Bunke requested Paulino-Del Rosario’s release, which the court granted under the conditions that he remains in 24-hour home confinement and follows a stay away-no contact order prohibiting contact with witnesses.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 7.