DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said a defense attorney in a homicide case can’t mention self-defense in an opening arguments on April 3.
Robert Lowe, 42, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Kenneth Goins, 43, on the 1300 block of U Street, NW, on April 27, 2024.
Prosecutors filed a motion on Nov. 14, 2025 to exclude arguments that Lowe acted in self-defense unless the defense can offer clear evidence before the trial. According to the motion, the counter-move was out of concern the defense might introduce evidence about Goins’ over 10-year-old convictions that do not adequately support a self-defense claim but may bias a jury against him.
The prosecution also motioned to exclude any evidence implicating a third-party committed the crime without sharing specific factual evidence prior to the trial.
As a result of a sealed discussion with Lowe and his attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, Judge Edelman said that he thought most of this evidence would not be relevant. He ruled that self-defense, third-party evidence, and references to Goins’ prior convictions could not be brought up in opening arguments. However, the judge did not ban them from being presented into evidence or mentioned during the trial.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 27.
