Jury Convicts Homicide Defendant for Death of Two and Injuries to Others

By , Jenna Gainsboro [former] - July 21, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting |

On July 20, a jury found Jalen Browne guilty on 12-counts following a two-week long emotional trial. 

Browne, 21, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill, and six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting. The shooting occurred on the 100 block of Q Street, NW, on July 25, 2021. 

Jovan Hill Jr, 22, and Tariq Riley, 19, suffered fatal wounds and later died at MedStar Hospital. A third victim, 22, suffered a gunshot wound to the lower back but survived. 

Through trial, prosecutors displayed multiple pieces of video footage from street cameras that documented the events of the shooting and Browne’s alleged escape. 

In the footage, Browne was seen wearing clothes similar to his and using the same make and model car observed at the scene. The ostensible motion for the shooting was retaliation for the attempted robbery of his car on February 9, 2021.

Through trial, Browne’s defense attorney, Douglas Wood’s main focus was the prosecution’s claim about motive. 

According to Wood, no evidence was presented to prove that any of the six young men who were shot at were involved in the attempted robbery of Browne’s car which occurred months before the homicides. 

Prosecutors called forth the surviving victim and one of the individuals who was fired at but remained physically unharmed.

The surviving victim was asked to recount the events on the day of the shooting, but quickly admitted that he had a drug problem that impacted his memory.

The witness went so far as to say that he was high as he was testifying. He could testify to the basic facts of the case, stating that he received a gunshot wound to his lower back and fled the scene, but could not recall any specifics about the day of the shooting. 

The second witness at the crime scene recanted grand jury testimony despite reading and listening to portions shown in court. The witness maintained not knowing or recalling prior grand jury testimony. 

A forensic pathologist from the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner testified on the autopsy findings, confirming cause of death for both Hill and Riley as singular gunshot wounds to their backs damaging their lungs, spines, and hearts. 

As trial came to a close, prosecutors focused on the evidence in the case, including the credibility of witnesses, the car used in the crime, the shooter’s clothing, and cell site analysis that linked the defendant to the area of the shooting. 

Prosecutors went on to say that Browne is the one individual who could have committed the crime when considering the timeline, location, access to the items in evidence, and motive. 

According to the defense, prosecutors failed to prove that Browne was the shooter, claiming they only presented circumstantial evidence.

Brian McDaniel, Browne’s other defense attorney, insistedthat Browne should not be found guilty by the rule of law because of reasonable doubt established by multiple witnesses’ testimonies. 

All parties spoke of the potential of someone close to Browne being the orchestrator or perpetrator of the homicides. McDaniel argued that the unknown individual’s potential involvement was reasonable doubt enough. 

Browne is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13.