Judge Rules Probable Cause, Not Self Defense 

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 15, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A judge ruled Oct. 11 that there was probable cause with substantial probability that a murder defendant may have been responsible in a shooting despite trying to claim self defense.

Michael “Miesha” Hines is charged with second-degree murder while armed with a firearm for allegedly shooting Wendell Youngblood, 46, on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NE on Aug. 3. Hines, 23, is a transgender woman. 

“What I have seen on the video makes me think, more than likely, she will be convicted and she was not acting in self defense,” said DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe,  referencing surveillance footage from the night of the murder. 

The footage shows a man being knocked down and a figure drawing a gun and firing at the victim. The shooter then walks in the opposite direction, off camera, only to return, pointing in the victim’s direction.

According to a Metropolitan Police Department detective, there was a fight in which the victim was punched and knocked to the ground by several men.

The detective said that when the victim was on the ground a gun was drawn and three shots were fired, striking the victim in the leg. 

The shooter then began to walk away. The detective said several witnesses heard one of the men involved in the altercation say, “Bust his a**, again.” The shooter returned several seconds later, firing a fatal shot into the victim.  

According to the detective, several witnesses identified Hines as the shooter. The detective said a key witness also told police that individuals discussed robbing Hines prior to the shooting.

“The defendant decided to be the judge and juror herself…our law does not allow that,” said a prosecutor during the preliminary hearing.

A weapon was not recovered. 

Hines is being held without bail in DC Jail.

A felony status conference is set on Nov. 15.