Judge Finds Substantial Probability in Case of Police Employee

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 29, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A judge found substantial proabability for first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed for a former Metropolital Police Department (MPD) civilian employee. 

Ronnika Jennings, 41, is charged with first-degree murder, accessory after the fact , possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and conspiracy for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting  of 28-year-old Andrew McPhatter on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE in March of 2017.

During a detention hearing on Oct. 28, the prosecution said Jennings allegedly gave confidential police information to the shooter, Derek Turner, after the shooting. According to prosecution, she informed Turner whether or not the police were looking for him after looking in the department’s data base.

Jennings allegedly had contact with Turner, calling him more than 30 times in six days.

The prosecution said there was an inferred agreement between the two parties. He said that Jennings knew that Turner had committed a crime and willingly and knowingly gave him information about the shooting. 

Defense counsel Dorsey Jones told DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe  that there was no probable cause because Jennings never had a mutual agreement with the shooter. He said there was no plan between them and that they were not as closely associated as the prosecution suggested. 

Jones told the court that Jennings did not have any connection to Turner’s crew, the “Warren Place Crew”. 

Jones said the phone calls may constitute aiding and abetting but does not constitute conspiracy.

Judge Iscoe said the number of phone calls between Jennings and Turner had shown there was ongoing communication. He said Turner’s acts were foreseeable as he had a history of violence, and Jennings knew this. 

She was in a unique position working for MPD and utilized her access of the data base to help Turner, said Judge Iscoe.

Judge Iscoe ordered Jennings to be held without bond. 

He did not feel confident that any conditions of release could ensure Jennings would not utilize electronics to obstruct justice. 

A status hearing is set on Nov. 1.