A jury acquitted a defendant of all charges related to a 2009 homicide before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on June 11.
Randolph Thomas, 43, was originally charged with felony murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed, and first-degree burglary while armed. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a Dec. 31, 2009 shooting that fatally injured 19-year-old Emmanuel Durant Jr. on the 200 block of Webster Street, NE.
After less than two days of deliberations, the jury returned a not guilty verdict on all charges.
Throughout the trial, which began on May 27, the prosecution alleged Thomas killed Durant while burglarizing his home.
According to Thomas’ arrest warrant, police charged him with Durant’s murder after he pleaded guilty to the fatal shooting of Chardale Bowe on Dec. 31, 2009 on the 4800 block of North Capitol Street, NE. A ballistic comparison reportedly concluded the same firearm was used in both murders.
Thomas’ attorneys, Pierce Suen and Kevin Steward, claimed that the prosecution “bought” the testimony of a witness who claimed Thomas had confessed to the homicide. The defense pointed to the history of this witness, claiming that he is “a known obstructor of justice” because he testified for prosecutors in multiple other cases.
In closing arguments, Suen reminded the jury of their duty to assume innocence until proven guilty. He reiterated that “Mr. Thomas is not guilty of these crimes.”
The case was closed and no further dates were set.
