DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan denied a fatal stabbing suspect’s request for release after finding probable cause in a preliminary hearing on June 26.
Morris Ray, 53, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Keon Jones. The incident occurred on April 26 on the 400 block of I Street, NE, near the Southwest Duck Pond.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective that authored Ray’s arrest warrant stated that throughout her investigation she learned Ray and Jones knew each other and that “they were buddies.” She also stated that she could not determine any prior issues between them during her investigation.
According to the detective, an eyewitness reported that he was in a physical fight with the suspect when Jones attempted to verbally intervene. The eyewitness then claimed the suspect assaulted Jones with punches and Jones reportedly did not defend himself. Another witness corroborated this account to the detective and neither saw the suspect stab Jones.
According to the detective and court documents, a group of approximately four National Guard soldiers spotted an “altercation” from the other side of the park and yelled out to try to defuse the situation. Upon arrival at the scene, they saw Jones on the ground, against a retaining wall, and visibly intoxicated.
The National Guard members also reported an individual described as the suspect present when they arrived. After seeing Jones’ condition they called 911 for medical and police assistance.
The detective did not interview the responding National Guard members who gave their statements, but watched the recordings. In court, the detective confirmed a National Guard soldier’s statement that the suspect “got in his face” while a soldier made the 911 call. She also described another soldier’s statement that the suspect left the scene as the call was being made.
When she reviewed MPD officers’ body-worn camera footage, the detective said Jones’ intestine was visibly outside of his body when being treated on scene. No statement from a witness mentioned blood being visible, according to the detective.
Ray’s defense attorney, Andrew Ain, noted “one of the oddities of this case is that there was no blood at the scene.” According to court documents, Jones succumbed to hinternal bleeding injuries at the hospital later the same night.
No witnesses advised the detective that Jones was armed. However, the detective said during Ray’s arrest on June 8, three knives were recovered.
The detective explained in cross-examination that the eyewitness who fought the suspect later admitted to police that his statement at the scene was false. Over succeeding discussions with the detective, the eyewitness’ recollection of the incident changed, reportedly aligning with the account of the other eyewitness.
After the detective’s testimony, Ain argued the initial differences in eyewitness accounts reasoned against probable cause. In support of Ray’s release, Ain also described that Ray’s previous drug related criminal history wasn’t relevant when looking at a violent crime. Ray’s compliance with the police during the investigation was also noted by Ain, along with his absence of escape or bench warrant history.
The prosecution opposed Ray’s release, arguing that Jones was an unarmed individual attempting to diffuse a fight he didn’t start and wasn’t directly involved in. Jones also did not fight back, according to the prosecution.
Judge Ryan found probable cause and ruled against release, noting the “violent nature of the crime” and that the victim was “defenseless and intoxicated,” along with the three knives allegedly found during Ray’s arrest.
Judge Ryan also pointed out the strength of the prosecution’s case based on eyewitness accounts. The later statements from the witness put a “coherent story together,” said Judge Ryan, and had no reason to believe he was “fed that information.”
Parties are slated to reconvene on July 31 for a felony status conference.
