Jury Acquits Fatal Stabbing Defendant Claiming Self-Defense

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A jury acquitted a homicide suspect on all counts in a three-year-old stabbing case before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on April 9.

Julian Ruffin, 34, was charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 38-year-old Alphonso Lee on Oct. 7, 2022 on the 1500 block of Butler Street, SE.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors described Ruffin as someone who was “ready to fight” on the night of the incident. Ruffin’s attorney, Kevin Irving, argued that he was acting in self-defense.

Irving said an argument between Ruffin and Lee quickly escalated to a physical confrontation, and Ruffin “stood up to a bully that day.”

Following a day of deliberations, the jury returned the not guilty verdict.

No further dates were set.