Jury Reaches  Guilty Verdict in Less than an Hour After 7-day Trial

By Alesar Harfoush [former] , Mariam Kamate [former] - March 9, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

On March 7, a jury found a non-fatal shooting defendant guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon after shooting his childhood friend. 

Stefen Farmer, 52, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for firing three non-fatal shots at the victim. The shooting happened on the 4400 block of Gault Place, NE, on Feb. 25, 2021. 

After less than an hour, the jury reached its verdict. Farmer was found not guilty of assault with intent to kill while armed. He was found guilty of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. 

On Tuesday, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein read the jury the self-defense instructions, which they previously requested on Monday. After that, both the defense and the prosecution delivered additional closing statements. 

The prosecution stated to the jury over and over that self-defense does not apply in the case. The prosecutor said there is no evidence of self-defense and that only evidence should be used when they decide on this case. 

Defense attorney Nikki Lotze expressed to the jury how important their decision is in determining Farmer’s future and that the only fair decision is to find him not gulity. She stated that he acted in self-defense and that the persecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the victim did not have a gun. 

She also said the prosecution failed to bring the needed evidence in the case and all they had is a blurry video where no effort was put to preserve the original video. 

Lotze then went on and informed the jury that they are not to believe the victim’s testimony since he had previously lied during Grand Jury testimony. 

“The government made its bed, do not save them from laying in it,” Lotze said.

Both parties were stopped by Judge Epstein  many times after exceeding the time limit they were given.  

Farmer’s sentencing date is scheduled for June 9.