Judge Says it Would be “Comical” To Trust Witness

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During the first week of a murder trial, a judge said believing an eyewitness to the crime would be “comical.”

Dajuan Jones, 19, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 26-year-old Cheyenne Washington on the 4400 block of E Street, SE in July of 2018. Jones is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license with a prior felony, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. 

The eyewitness to the crime, who was taking his bike off a bus as the gun was shot, has repeatedly contradicted himself, according to DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz.  

The witness first told police that the suspect’s back was to him and he couldn’t see the murder weapon. But, during his testimony on March 3, he said that he could see the gun, but he “couldn’t be sure” of its color. 

However, during his testimony on March 2 and 3, the witness repeatedly said that the gun appeared “silver or chrome colored.” 

This witness also testified in front of a grand jury that he could see the side of the suspect’s cheek.

On March 3, the witness said he could only see the back of his neck. He described the shooter as “heavyset, about 200 pounds,” which did not match Jones’ description at the time of the crime, according to photos from the defendant’s Instagram account. 

“Unequivocally believing what he says would be comical,” Judge Kravitz told counsel.

This article was written by MiriYam Judd and Wyatt Mullins 

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