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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- October 4, 2018
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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After a nearly two week trial, a jury found a murder defendant guilty Oct. 3, hours after counsel delivered closing arguments.
Babajide Pittman was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed and related firearm charges for shooting 27-year-old Anthony Young on the 600 block of L Street, SE in 2016.
According to court documents, the men met near 7th and L Street, SE. After an argument, Pittman, 31, opened fire, hitting the decedent eight times. Young’s girlfriend was also struck in the leg.
During closing statements, the defense reiterated that Pittman acted in self-defense. Pittman’s attorney, Anthony Matthews, noted that both Young and Pittman were carrying guns on the day of the murder. According to Matthews, Young was carrying a gun because he wanted to confront Pittman.
Matthews said Pittman saw the decedent pulling out a gun when his back was turned, noting that Young could not have been entering the car based on the position of his body. However, according to court documents, a witness said the decedent was entering the car.
Apparently, Pittman fled the scene. According to Matthews, it was “human nature” for Pittman to run because he did not want to get caught.
Following the defense’s closing arguments, the prosecution addressed the jury and said, “Talk about a fairytale.”
The prosecution argued that Young was not trying to confront the defendant and instead wanted to leave. “Don’t call me again; I don’t want anything to do with what y’all got going on,” the prosecutor said recounting the decedent’s last words.
The prosecution emphasized Pittman’s lack of remorse because he fled the crime scene right away and changed his appearance following the shooting.
“Guilty people run away; innocent people stay,” the prosecution said.