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By
Leah Meyer
- March 19, 2025
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Victims
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A jury found a homicide defendant guilty in a killing before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 18.
Nyjell Outler, 22, was originally charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his involvement in the murder of Demetris Johnson, 21, on March 20, 2021 on the unit block of Madison Street, NE at a gender reveal party.
The incident also left another victim injured in both legs. All charges face an aggravating factor of allegedly being committed during Outler’s release for another matter.
Following three days of deliberations, Outler was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and aggravated assault while armed.
During the trial, the prosecution argued that Outler’s actions on the night of the incident were deliberate, unprovoked, and planned. Gemma Stevens and Thomas Key, Outler’s defense attorneys, claimed that he acted in self-defense and was lawfully entitled to meet deadly force with deadly force.
Parties are slated to reconvene May 30 for sentencing.