Case Acquitted: Judge Rules Cell Phone Data Warrant Had Probable Cause in Murder Case

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Editor’s note: On Aug. 1, a jury acquitted Jarvis Jackson of all charges connected to the homicide of Deont’e Minor.

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein ruled on July 18 that a warrant to obtain cell phone data from a shooting defendant was legal, over defense attorney objections.

Jarvis Jackson, 42, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction for allegedly shooting Deont’e Minor, 23, on March 20, 2021, on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

According to Judge Epstein, two warrants had previously been issued for cell phone data after probable cause was found by another judge. Then, one was ruled insufficient for probable cause without immediate explanation.

The prosecution recently obtained new information and added it to the dismissed warrant before re-filing.

Defense attorney, Madhuri Swarna, argued that allowing the prosecution to re-file the warrant with new information would amount to prejudice against Jackson.

Judge Epstein dismissed this argument, stating the prosecution did not use any illegally obtained information in the new warrant.

Swarna also argued that the new warrant still did not meet the requirement for probable cause.

She claimed the prosecution is relying on a weak motive. The prosecution alleges that six months prior to the shooting, Jackson robbed Minor. But, Swarna said that the prosecution has not made any effort to find any evidence other than one witness.

Swarna said that there is no evidence that Jackson wanted to find Minor and hurt him and there is no reason to believe he knew where Minor was the day of the incident.

The defense also claimed that there is no evidence to support that Jackson had access to firearms, including an interview with his ex-wife during which she repeatedly denied that Jackson had any guns.

Additionally, Swarna said there are many people identified by witnesses that had motive to kill Minor over money issues, specifically an incident one-and-a-half months prior to the murder when Minor was the target of a shooting.

Swarna also said that the prosecution relies on a “white Chevy Cruze” that the an individual identified as Jackson entered. One of Jackson’s love interests has a similar vehicle, but allegedly only lets him use it when she’s in the car.

The defense claimed the two cars are different.

Judge Epstein told the parties “I still believe…that the warrant established probable cause” for the cell phone warrant.

Additionally, the defense asked the prosecution to send them the immunity letter from prosecution that was given to one of the witnesses.

The prosecution said that they lost the letter but will do their best to find it.

The parties are set to meet again on July 19.