Judge orders Devonte Johnson held without bail

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 3, 2016
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

Devonte Johnson, the second man charged with the fatal stabbing of Robinson Pal inside Barcode nightclub was ordered held without bail while his case continues.

Johnson, 27, has been charged with second-degree murder while armed. Appearing in a white jumpsuit Thursday, Johnson spoke out in court several times while trying to cut off the judge present for his arraignment.

Johnson’s case was continue to March 22 for his preliminary hearing. The judge ruled that due to statement made by three different witnesses and officers on-duty in and around the club, there was cause to hold Johnson.

According to the warrant for Johnson’s arrest, on-duty police officer Randy Harrison was alerted of an altercation inside the club, when he noticed a black male run out the front door of Barcode. Harrison then went inside and found Robinson Pal unconscious with a stab wound on the left side of his chest. A second victim was found just outside the establishment and was suffering from a stab wound to the back.

One witness who was working security on the night of the homicide, observed Pal and Antoine Byrd, 35, fighting inside the club. Byrd allegedly told Pal that he was “going to kill [Pal].” It was after this that Pal fell to the floor and the security officer located the stab wound on Pal’s chest. He then began CPR until EMS arrived on scene.

A second witness, who also worked security at Barcode also observed the fight, but did not see who stabbed Pal. This witness told police the two men seemed to know each other.

A third witness, sitting at a table at Barcode, told police of another man who was involved in the fight, but could not identify which one actually stabbed Pal.

Byrd was also identified to police as a suspect through his Instagram account.