DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman found probable cause in a fatal stabbing case on Oct. 29.
Christopher Taylor, 36, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 31-year-old Michael Jackson on the 1600 block of V Street, SE, on April 10.
The prosecution called the lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), who stated that a trail of blood coming from the building at the crime scene led MPD to Jackson across the street.
Through private surveillance cameras, the detective stated that they were able to identify a physical altercation taking place on the driveway of the apartment building. The detective was then able to track the suspect using MPD crime cameras and private cameras that captured audio of an individual yelling. On one of the cameras the suspect can be heard yelling “I got him,” according to the detective.
The detective testified that the suspect was tracked from the location of the offense to a liquor store where the detective was able to capture an image of the suspect. Using the image, the detective issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO).
The detective stated that they were told by a witness that the man in the photo sells stolen meat packages. The detective conducted a search of MPD’s database for Black males arrested for stealing meat packages, and found that Taylor’s photo was a likely match.
Another suspect was ruled out given the difference in appearance and their strong accent.
In a cross examination by Taylor’s attorney, Michelle Stevens, the detective agreed that no witnesses gave a description of the suspect and no one watched the stabbing happen.
Additionally, a search warrant was conducted of a home that did not yield results connecting Taylor to that home, according to Stevens and the detective.
The detective agreed with Stevens that there were obstructions in surveillance footage, but said footage of the altercation in the apartment driveway is pretty clear. Stevens also noted that it is hard to make out what words are exchanged between the two individuals initially.
Stevens stated that the clothing the suspect was wearing in surveillance footage is not unique, especially given that the suspect ruled out previously wore a similar hat.
Additionally, Stevens stated that the detective’s search of the database for Black males arrested for stealing meat yielded more than 100 results, but started and ended with Taylor. The detective stated that she did not look through the other results because Taylor’s photo matched that of the suspect.
The detective also stated that the suspect’s voice was consistent with the sound of Taylor’s voice during his arrest on April 16. The detective agreed with Stevens that she does not have any training in voice identification.
Stevens argued that a witness who identified Taylor in the BOLO had made previous claims that Taylor attempted to burn down their house.
In the prosecution’s redirect, they reasserted that the detective stopped their search of the database at Taylor because his photo matched the suspect. Additionally, the witness who identified Taylor in the BOLO did not respond to media or BOLO releases.
Prosecutors also noted that the suspect can be heard in footage saying, “You leaking, you leaking now.”
Following the detectives’ excusal, Stevens requested that the court not find probable cause. She argued that the detective relied on voice comparison, stopped her search of the database at the first result which was Taylor, footage was too far away, and the suspect’s common outfit was tracked across three different cameras.
Stevens asserted that it is unknown how the incident started, Taylor could’ve acted in self-defense. Further, there is nothing that linked Taylor to the crime scene.
The prosecution stated that the detective did not compare voices for identification, but to connect the suspect in surveillance footage to the suspect who committed the offense. They also argued that statements made by the suspect indicate that the suspect stabbed the victim. Additionally, there is footage tracking the suspect.
Judge Edelman noted that the footage is hard to discern but it is clear two people were involved in a fight. He stated that it is possible this was self-defense, but that does not defeat probable cause.
He also stated that footage connected the suspect to the incident and the witness identified Taylor in the BOLO. He asserted that while he agreed with Stevens on some of her arguments, he did not agree that the connection between footage is based on assumptions and stated that it appeared to be the same person.
Judge Edelman ruled that there was probable cause.
The prosecution requested that Taylor remain held given that he has a pending case where he allegedly tried to escape from custody. Prosecutors also stated that Taylor’s criminal history is “lengthy” and that in this case the victim was stabbed five times.
Stevens requested that Taylor be released on GPS monitoring, noting his support from his family.
Judge Edelman stated that given the nature of the offense, Taylor will remain held. He noted that Taylor has a history of violent acts including simple assault and armed robbery and he has multiple bench warrants.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 6, 2026.
