Judge Holds Burglary Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 19, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge denied June 19 a request for release from a defendant charged with second-degree burglary.

According to witness testimony and body cam footage from an MPD officer, Jakeem Pope, entered a house on the 1200 block of Hamilton Street, NW on March 29. The residents of the house returned and confronted Pope in their bathroom. He apparently rummaged through a closet, but officers who arrested him found he had not taken anything. 

Defense attorney Stuart Johnson questioned the officer’s reliability as a witness, repeatedly probing her on the details of the crime scene and statements the defendant made. 

Johnson also shed light on the various infractions the officer had on the job and the fact that she failed to appear and testify before court multiple times.

Johnson said his client did not commit burglary because he had no intention to steal, claiming he had every opportunity to do so, given he had been in the victims’ home for at least 30 minutes before they returned.

The prosecution said the fact that Pope hid a pair of Apple AirPods underneath a towel in the bathroom where the complainants confronted him meant he likely wanted to steal the items but was caught in the act.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan ultimately determined that the defendant did indeed attempt a burglary.

The prosecution warned against releasing the defendant, considering his history of committing burglaries, one in which he armed with a knife. The prosecutor also mentioned that people staying indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic meant there is a greater chance the defendant could come into contact and engage in a physical altercation with residents should he commit another burglary.

The defense disagreed, but Judge Raffinan chose not to release Pope on account of the danger he may pose to the community. 

Pope’s next court hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5.