Murder Defendant Removed From Courtroom for Disrupting His Trial

By Ariana Rojas [former] - April 7, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

The defendant accused of murdering 48-year-old Ivan Lynch was removed from the courtroom during the eighth day of his trial.

Prosecutors allege that Marquette Jordan stabbed Lynch to death during the early hours of April 28, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. On April 6, the 30-year-old defendant took the stand to testify in his own defense.

When Jordan began his testimony on April 5, he said he got into an argument with Lynch and pushed him, D.C. Witness previously reported. He testified that Lynch choked him until he went unconscious and woke up to find Lynch on the floor. Despite this, a Metropolitan Police Department officer later called by prosecutors said Jordan never told her he needed medical attention.

When prosecutors cross-examined Jordan, he would often go off on a tangent and avoid answering their “yes” or “no” questions. After stepping down from the witness stand and sitting next to his lawyer, Elliot Queen, he began to raise his voice and make hand gestures that caught the attention of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. He was removed from the courtroom for his behavior. Upon being brought back, Judge Brandt warned the defendant that he could only stay in the courtroom if he controls himself. 

Seemingly agitated from the robust cross-examination, Jordan continued to raise his voice and make hand gestures, prompting marshals to escort him out of the courtroom once again. Judge Brandt asked him if he would like to be present when prosecutors present their rebuttal case.

Jordan has said he left the apartment on the night of the homicide to call 911, bringing his girlfriend’s children with him. He was with the children when he was apprehended by police later that day.

Jurors saw images of the children from a police officer’s body-worn camera during the trial proceedings. Jordan misrepresented his name and date of birth during the police stop. Prosecutors called an MPD officer who testified that Jordan said he was in his uncle’s apartment.

Jordan said he lied to the police because he did not know what happened and did not want to be stereotyped because of his criminal background. 

A witness from the Office of Unified Communications said there was no evidence the defendant called 911 as he said he did.

Following Queen’s cross-examination of one of the police witnesses, Jordan once again frustrated Judge Brandt and prosecutors with his conduct. Judge Brandt eventually decided he was done for the day.

The trial was scheduled to resume the next day.

Jordan faces charges of first-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault.