DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson heard testimony and arguments at a preliminary hearing of the evidence in a fatal stabbing case that stemmed from a large fight on Feb. 18.
Shawn Conway, 50, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Jermaine Foster, 34, on the 2000 block of 14th Street, NW on Sept. 12, 2025.
According to court documents, officers responded at approximately 3:53 a. m., following reports of a brawl and located Foster with six wounds to his chest.–one to his heart, and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. There were two additional surviving victims; one sustained a finger laceration and the other a cut to the back of their hand.
At Conway’s preliminary hearing, the prosecution called the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective assigned to the case.
The detective testified that MPD officers responded to the stabbing.and later investigated a related scene at the intersection of 10th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW where they interviewed individuals involved in a fight that occurred prior to Foster’s stabbing
Video evidence included MPD crime camera footage and an Instagram video sent anonymously to the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC). The prosecution played the Instagram video in court. The detective showed a physical altercation and depicted an individual standing over Foster making downward stabbing motions while wearing a gray sweatshirt, light-colored jeans, and light-colored shoes.
The detective testified that crime camera footage showed an individual wearing clothing consistent with the person depicted in the Instagram video exiting a vehicle and walking toward the sidewalk where the altercation occurred.
The detective said that the primary witness described the suspect who stabbed Foster as the same individual who exited the vehicle and later identified Conway by name.
According to the detective, a surviving victim said they attempted to pull the suspect off Foster and described that the suspect had a knife and made stabbing motions.
The detective also testified that the day of the offense MPD received an anonymous tip that identified Conway as the suspect.
On cross-examination, Conway’s attorney, Rachel Cicurel, questioned the scope and documentation of the investigation.
The detective acknowledged that not all witness interviews were recorded and that some were documented only in handwritten notes. He testified that the witness who identified Conway did not name him during their first interview and that no formal identification procedure was conducted.
Cicurel established that several individuals in or nearby the fight did not see the stabbing or a knife and that some were drinking prior to the incident.
The detective also acknowledged that the suspect’s face was not clearly visible in the Instagram video and that the witness who identified Conway from the video based their identification on clothing, build, and context rather than a clear facial close-up. He testified that he does not know the identity of the anonymous tipster or how the tipster obtained the information.
The prosecution argued there was ample evidence that proved probable cause. Both the witness statements and video evidence prove that Foster was actually attempting to break up the fight when Conway stabbed him, asserted prosecutors.
They added that witnesses placed Conway’s vehicle at the scene and the primary witness identified him as the suspect by name. They argued it was clear Conway was present because the witness’ description of his clothing matches an individual in video footage in the surrounding areas and the person making stabbing motions in the Instagram video.
Cicurel argued there was no probable cause because the prosecution had not sufficiently established identification of Conway as the person who stabbed Foster. For example, Cicurel noted that the witness did not name Conway in their initial interview and the video did not clearly show the suspect’s face.
Several individuals on scene told the detective they did not see the knife or who left the scene following the incident, Cicurel pointed out. Cicurel emphasized that witnesses were intoxicated and reluctant to speak to MPD officers. The anonymous tipster did not provide any details, reasoning, or evidence to substantiate their claim, asserted Cicurel.
Judge Dayson delayed ruling on probable cause until the next hearing at which time she’ll hear arguments for detention or release.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 23.
