Judge Finds Probable Cause in Preliminary Hearing and Denies Release for 2020 Homicide Defendant

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On Nov. 15, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found probable cause in a preliminary hearing for a homicide defendant and denied his request for release.

Guy Johnson, 56, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his involvement in a shooting on the 1600 block of 19th Street, SE, on March 25, 2020, when he allegedly murdered 28-year-old Kriston Robinson.

Prosecutors called the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who recalled a witness who remarked they saw someone believed to be the shooter wearing a black mask and a white or gray top. Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, argued Johnson was never seen wearing a black mask and no witness directly named him as the shooter.

The detective also testified about a witness’ description of the shooter as being “light-skinned,” which Mosley argued did not fit Johnson’s darker skin tone.

Mosley also pointed out Johnson’s significant knee injury and need for a cane, alleging he could not have run from the scene and was not consistent with a shooter trying to flee.

The actual shooting was not captured due to the placement of the cameras. Moments after it occurred, multiple people are seen reacting and running away. Johnson appeared to be on surveillance footage to be walking away from the area, trailing behind another person who was ruled out as a suspect.

Prosecution argued against Mosley’s request for Johnson to be put on supervised release, stating he was a danger to the community and could possibly be a flight risk.

The prosecutors say a witness was the original target and Robinson “was at the wrong place at the wrong time”. Prosecution stated Johnson’s release would be detrimental to the surviving witness, who was not injured during the incident.

After hearing both parties’ arguments, Judge Epstein found probable cause in the case and denied Johnson’s release, stating “There are no conditions or combination of conditions that would protect the community”.

Parties are expected to reconvene for a felony status conference on Jan. 26.

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