Closing arguments were presented and the jury began deliberations in a shooting between neighbors case before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on April 29.
Donnell Wells, 36, is charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in a shooting on Aug. 1, 2024, on the 500 block of Newcomb Street, SE.
The prosecution began their closing argument by emphasizing to the jury that they should strongly consider the evidence and facts of the case during their deliberations. This was a violent case, and the violent nature of the charges should be considered as such.
Wells was not acting in self-defense, the prosecution said, but maliciously and violently. “Donnell Wells brought a gun to a fist fight,” said the prosecutor
The dispute was seemingly petty, but Wells escalated it into violence.
In her testimony, the victim’s mother, who lived at the Newcomb Street address, stated an altercation began when she asked her neighbors to move inside, since she was bothered by their loud music and the pungent smell of marijuana coming from their patio. After she asked a second time, she testified, Wells, a friend of the noisy neighbor, began arguing with her and yelling obscenities.
Wells allegedly shot until the gun until it was empty. Two victims were injured in the shooting, which the prosecution qualified as excessive force.
The defense emphasized in their closing arguments that this was an act of self-defense, in which reasonable force is allowed if one believes that they are in imminent danger.
The defense continued by stating that Wells truly believed that he was in grave danger of being harmed during the dispute, and acted accordingly. Thus, Wels did not use excessive force, but reasonable force.
Parties are slated to reconvene when the jury reaches a verdict.
