Jury Convicts 3 Men with Conspiracy And Murder of 13-Year-Old Child

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Following a multi-month long trial, a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom convicted three individuals for their involvement in a conspiracy, murder, and multiple non-fatal shootings on July 10.

Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 22, are three of five individuals charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW. Another juvenile sustained injuries after suffering a gunshot wound to the leg.

Jackson, Freeman, and Nelson were also charged in connection to two additional incidents, including a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 22, 2020, on the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW, that injured two individuals, as well as a shooting on Feb. 24, 2020, at the intersection of 9th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW. The second shooting injured three individuals.

The incidents also allegedly involved 24-year-old Reginald Steele and 27-year-old Aaron Brown. A trial date has yet to be decided on for Brown. Steele’s trial is slated to begin March 31, 2025.

“The time has come,” said Judge Brandt, as the jury presented a guilty verdict for all three defendants, for conspiracy, first-degree premeditated murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license in connection to Luke’s murder.

All three were also convicted of three counts of tampering with physical evidence, and four counts of possession of an unregistered firearm.

Freeman and Nelson were also convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict.

In addition, Jackson was convicted of two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license in connection to the Feb. 22 incident.

The jury also convicted Jackson of four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license in connection to the Feb. 24 incident.

Likewise, Nelson was convicted of two counts of accessory after the fact in connection to the two non-fatal shooting incidents. He was also convicted of carrying a pistol without a license in connection to the Feb. 24 shooting.

The jury was unable to unanimously conclude whether or not Nelson was guilty of four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed in connection to the Feb. 24 incident, so Judge Brandt granted a mistrial in connection to those charges on July 11.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 12 for sentencing.