Jury Finds Defendant Guilty of Second-Degree Murder

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 3, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 3, a jury delivered a guilty verdict before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe following four days of deliberation in a 2020 murder case

Ravel Mills, 29, was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the murder of 28-year-old Toussaunt Strong. The incident took place on the 3400 block of 24th Street, SE, on April 18, 2020. 

After a two-week trial, the jury acquitted Mills of the first-degree murder charge, but found him guilty of the lesser offense of second-degree murder, and all other charges. 

During the trial, both parties acknowledged the circumstantial nature of the evidence. There is no DNA linking Mills to the murder weapon, a firearm. Neither is there video of, or witnesses to the murder.

The defense argued prosecutors didn’t present any hard evidence.

The prosecution’s case was focused around one surveillance video that showed Mills following Strong up a street before his murder. However, the footage does not show the shooting, only the scenes before and after. Mills is seen leaving the scene after shots were fired.

When Mills took the stand in his own defense, he claimed a PCP dealer came down the opposite side of the street and killed Strong in front of him. 

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 11.