DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe granted a defense motion to acquit a defendant on his obstruction of justice charge related to a shooting on Feb. 13.
Dominick Jackson, 41, was convicted by a jury on Oct. 8, 2025 of obstruction of justice for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on Nov. 20, 2022, on the 700 block of 12th Street, NE. A victim sustained gunshot wounds to his right thigh.
On Dec. 31, 2025, Kevin Robertson, Jackson’s attorney filed a motion asking for acquittal for the obstruction of justice charge against Jackson. Robertson argued in the motion that the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof for this charge during the trial.
According to the motion, the victim’s girlfriend, who was also reportedly romantically involved with Jackson, testified during the trial. Robertson wrote that prosecutors asked the victim, “Have you ever been threatened in relation to your involvement in this case?”
Robertson argued in the motion that the terms “relation,” “involvement,” and “case” were not defined by prosecutors or the victim during her testimony. Therefore, the charges should be dismissed because it was unclear if the statements were during the “official proceeding” of the case.
At the hearing, Robertson asked when the alleged threat of the obstruction charge was made. Prosecutors did not respond.
Judge Pipe questioned whether or not the information about when the threat occurred was presented to the jury during the trial. The prosecutors responded that they were unsure if it was brought up before the jury.
Without evidence of when the threat originated or if it was clearly presented to the jury, Judge Pipe decided that she could not sentence Jackson for the crime.
Judge Pipe acquitted Jackson of the remaining charge without objection from prosecutors.
The case was dismissed and no further dates were set.
