Case Acquitted: Jury Failed to Reach Verdict on Day 1 of Deliberations

By Aerial Lopez [former] - March 23, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Sutton was acquitted of murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 23, 2023.

On March 22, the jury in a homicide case did not reach their verdict before dismissal.

Kae’Von Sutton, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or place of business in relation to the shooting of Aujee Tyler. Sutton allegedly shot Tyler, 22, after an altercation on March 19, 2018, on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE. 

The trial came to its conclusion after three long weeks. Tuesday afternoon, both attorneys delivered their closing arguments and set their case to rest. 

On Wednesday morning DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan read the jurors their jury instructions and sent them into the jury room for deliberation.

Ridden with questions, the jury sent various notes to the judge throughout the day. Issues included clarification of legal jargon and frustration with technology. The court’s clerk spent time running back and forth from the courtroom to the room.

For nearly seven hours, friends and family of both sides sat patiently in the gallery awaiting the verdict. 

All parties were dismissed for the day promptly at 4:45 p.m.

The jury is set to return for deliberation March 23.