After less than a day of deliberations, jurors acquitted an obstruction of justice defendant before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on March 19.
Aillayh Carter, 29, was charged with two counts of obstructing justice for allegedly attempting to influence witnesses in a homicide case by initially claiming she was responsible.
On Feb. 20, Carter’s case was severed from her fiancé, Robert Carpenter, 37, who is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Tremaine Nicholson. The incident occurred on May 7, 2024 on the 3400 block of 25th Street, SE.
After Judge Ryan clarified the jury’s confusion about certain language during the parties’ closing statements, the panel came back with a not guilty verdict on both counts.
In her happiness with the outcome, Carater asked if she could thank the jury personally after parties were dismissed, but was advised not to do so by Judge Ryan.
No further hearings were set for Carter.
