Jury Returns Partial Verdict in Murder Trial

By Andrea Keckley [former] - January 13, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

After approximately five days of deliberations, a jury returned a partial verdict in a murder trial.

Tony McClam faced multiple charges in reference to the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Karon Brown on July 18, 2019, in Southeast, DC. A jury found the 31-year-old defendant not guilty of first-degree murder while armed. They were unable to reach a verdict on lesser homicide charges of second-degree murder while armed and voluntary manslaughter while armed. The jury was also unable to reach a verdict on the charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and the lesser-included offense of assault with a dangerous weapon as well as possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

McClam was only convicted of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

The verdict was delivered on Jan. 12, more than one month after parties delivered their opening arguments. The trial was delayed for two weeks after the defendant tested positive for COVID-19.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz, who presided over the trial, scheduled a status hearing for Jan. 19 to give parties time to decide how they would like to proceed.