Judge Finds Substantial Probability Against Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 28, 2018
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A District of Columbia Superior Court judge found substantial probability Sept. 27 that a defendant fatally stabbed a man shortly after an altercation.

Policarpo Casarrubias-Rodriguez, who is a Mexican native, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Israel Gomez over a dispute about a dining room chair on the 3100 block of 16th Street, NW on Sept. 9.

According to court documents, police responded to 16th Street and found Gomez, 37, unconscious and lying on the floor in a pool of blood. They also found Casarrubias, 44, sitting in a chair next to the victim’s body. He allegedly drank more than 18 beers before the homicide.

A detective on the case told Judge Judith Bartnoff that a witness saw the defendant remove a knife from the decedent’s back.

Casarrubias’ defense attorney, Lee Goebes, argued for self-defense, saying the evidence is more in alignment with voluntary manslaughter and not first-degree murder. According to Goebes, Casarrubias was trying to defend himself during a second altercation. However, the detective said there was no evidence available to indicate that another altercation took place.

Judge Bartnoff, did not accept Casarrubias’ self defense claim. According to the judge, the stabbing occurred after the fight when the defendant went to his backpack to retrieve a knife, displaying premeditation and deliberate conduct. The judge also said the defendant confessed to the crime during his post-arrest interview with MPD detectives.

Even though Casarrubias has no prior felony charges, the judge ordered him held without bond because, due to the nature of the offense, he poses a danger to the community. Judge Bartnoff also said she is concerned Casarrubias could be a flight risk.

Casarrubias is scheduled for a felony status conference on Nov. 9.