DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park granted a mistrial on Jan. 5 in a shooting case, following the jury’s inability to reach a unanimous verdict.
Nikia Cunningham, 31, and Bernard Vance, 31, are charged with robbery while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, second degree cruelty to children, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home/business, and unlawful possession of ammunition. This stems from their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE, on March 28, 2023. One individual sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.
Following a multi-week trial, jurors alerted Judge Park they were unable to reach a verdict on multiple of the charges. The jury previously acquitted Cunningham of assault with intent to kill while armed, and convicted Vance of tampering with physical evidence.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors attempted to prove that Cunningham, who had her child with her, accompanied Vance to an old friend’s apartment and shot the friend’s roommate in a robbery gone wrong. According to prosecutors, Cunningham was carrying the child on her hip as she allegedly shot the victim.
Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 20.
