Jury Acquits Defendant of Armed Robbery, Still Deliberating Murder Charge

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A jury found Marquette Jordan not guilty of armed robbery but remains deadlocked on the defendant’s other charges- first and second-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault.

Jordan, 30, is accused of stabbing 40-year-old Ivan Lynch to death on April 28, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE.

Before jurors gave their verdict on April 12, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt advised Jordan, “at no time are you to say or do anything.”

The jury’s floorperson explained they had unanimously agreed to acquit Jordan of the armed robbery charge but have not come to an agreement on the other charges. Judge Brandt accepted the single verdict and had them continue deliberating.

Later on, Judge Brandt received two notes from jurors. Both involved questions on how to weigh self-defense in the evidence.

Judge Brandt advised them that they should only consider instructions previously given to them on April 7, none of which contained any direction on self-defense. Therefore, self-defense cannot be considered in their decision.

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