DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park refused defense attorney Eliza Buergenthal’s request that he release her client, Tyquan Jennings, from DC Jail pending trial at a hearing on May 19.
Jennings, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Vonte Martin and the wounding of another victim. The incident occurred on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE, on Aug. 19, 2024.
Court documents state Martin suffered two gunshot wounds to his left arm and one to his upper left chest.
According to arrest documents, multiple witnesses told police that Martin was in a conflict with two brothers, known by the nicknames “TyTy” and “KyKy,” who blamed Martin for the arrest of their relative.
Buergenthal argued for Jennings’ release on the grounds that he is the sole caretaker for his nine-year-old daughter and the evidence against him isn’t strong. Buergenthal said the surveillance video footage of the incident is dark and grainy, and the witness testimony is contradictory.
“All this shows that the evidence here is not overwhelming. It is not cut and dried, as the [prosecution] has alleged,” Buergenthal said.
“The fact that this entire murder occurred on video is the overwhelming nature of the evidence,” said the prosecutor.
The prosecutor said Jennings allegedly committed the murder while on release in a felony domestic violence case. Jennings was charged on March 31, 2023, with carrying a dangerous weapon outside his home or place of business (offense committed during release), possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. The case was dismissed on April 15, 2025.
Judge Park said the dismissal of the domestic violence case doesn’t negate the fact that Jennings was arrested for Martin’s homicide during pretrial release and therefore is considered to have violated the conditions of his release.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Aug. 15.
