Judge Finds Probable Cause in New Year’s Day Homicide

By Payton Anderson , Ayda Atici [former] - February 14, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Feb. 14, at a preliminary hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a homicide. 

Jelani Cousin, 18, is being charged with second-degree murder  while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Ashlei Hinds on Jan. 1 at a hotel on the 4000 block of Military Road, NW. 

According to court documents, Cousin, also known as ‘Tall,’ allegedly showed up with six of his friends at a hotel room after being invited by one of the six girls who was staying there with Hinds. 

The group, all of whom were underage, was reportedly drinking.

Later a fight occurred between Cousin and one of the female witnesses, after he allegedly tried to engage in sex with an unconscious girl in the hotel room. Cousin was asked to leave, and allegedly returned shortly thereafter with a handgun firing the two shots that killed Hinds. 

During the hearing, prosecutors called the lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to testify. The prosecution began by asking the detective to elaborate on the source of the fight between Cousin and an eyewitness, the woman he allegedly assaulted. 

“Witness One said defendant Cousin was trying to have sex with Witness Four who was highly intoxicated,” the detective said while referring to his notes from an interview with Witness One. 

According to the detective, the witnesses told MPD that, following the argument, they had “pushed” Cousin and his male friends out of the hotel room. Cousin then left the scene and returned later on, according to the detective. 

“Witness Two was in the hallway and observed the defendant and another male witness pull out a firearm and allegedly fire two shots at the door,” the detective said, which struck Hinds, who had been standing near the door, and she ran to the bedroom bleeding. 

The defendant was allegedly identified by witnesses as the shooter in surveillance footage, where he was seen wearing a black jacket with white lettering. 

He was also identified by a family member, who had seen a post with a picture of him from the surveillance footage stating that he was wanted for homicide. His family member then brought the defendant to the police station to surrender.

In the cross-examination of the detective, Cousin’s defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, questioned the detective on whether or not Witness Four was truly uncomfortable with Cousin’s presence in the bedroom.  

“[Witness four] said ‘Tall’ had a gun which made her feel uneasy about him being there,” the detective said. 

Mosley argued that what occurred in this hotel room was a result of a “party” that had gotten out of hand. This was a “cordial gathering” that included a group of young friends “enjoying each other’s company,” according to Mosley. 

“These young women were hanging out for a long period of time that escalated later on,” Mosley asserted. “This is not the picture the [prosecution] is trying to paint.” 

When Mosley asked the detective why the witnesses had waited to call the police in the minutes after Hinds was shot, the detective responded they were “petrified” and had not known what to do or how to help their friend.

Judge O’Keefe stated that there was “sufficient and ample evidence” to rule that there was probable cause for Cousin’s second-degree murder charge. 

The prosecution stated that they would not be offering any kind of plea deal to the defendant.  

Parties reserved their right to argue for Cousin’s release. He will remain detained as he awaits further proceedings. 

Parties are slated to return for a felony status conference on May 31.