Judge Grants Probable Cause Denying Self-Defense Argument

By Rohan Naval , Kiliane Gateau - February 6, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Feb.6, D.C Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found probable cause to bring a homicide defendant’s case to trial. 

Roy Jordan, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Gary Lavon Love III on the 4600 block of South Capitol Street, SW, on Nov. 20, 2023. 

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located Love on the sidewalk, suffering from a gunshot wound. Love later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.

During the hearing, prosecutors called on the lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to discuss surveillance footage from the incident. All four clips were taken from the location of the shooting, and the areas surrounding it. 

In one of the videos, an individual identified as Love was observed outside of a tobacco store with other individuals. A few minutes later, an individual, identified as Jordan, emerged from the store brandishing a weapon at Love, who moved towards the sidewalk.

The detective also stated the video evidence showed Jordan firing shots at Love, and added that Love responded by fleeing and firing back at Jordan.. The witness further stated that video evidence showed the defendant fleeing the scene after the shooting.

During cross-examination, Jordan’s defense attorney, Antoini Jones, questioned the detective about any additional shots fired, to which the witness denied any such claim.

Jones alleged there was an inconsistency with the police report in that the evidence presented failed to show an initial shot fired by Love. He cited the video footage, stating that the victim was reaching inside his coat for a gun, and that he later re-entered wearing gloves. 

Hence, the defense stated that his “client felt threatened”, and that he was “acting in self-defense.”

In arguing for probable cause, the prosecution stated there was “no indication that the defendant was acting in self-defense.” The defense countered, saying that there was “more than one way to look at this case.”

Skeptical about the self-defense argument, Judge Epstein found probable cause, and held the defendant based on his previous criminal convictions. 

The judge agreed with the prosecution stating, “The evidence establishes that beyond probable cause that Jordan did not have an objective basis to believe that he was threatened by Love. If anyone faced a threat, it was Love.”

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on July 19.