Murder Defendant Testifies During His Trial

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

The man accused of murdering 40-year-old Ivan Lynch in 2018 took to the witness stand to testify in his own defense.

Marquette Jordan is on trial for allegedly stabbing Lynch to death during the early hours of April 30, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. The 30-year-old defendant faces charges of first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault. He was charged with threat to kidnap or injure a person and assault with a dangerous weapon, but prosecutors decided to drop those charges.

On April 5, defense attorney Elliot Queen began his direct examination of his client by asking about his relationship with the witnesses he knows personally.

“Other than the witness that was my girlfriend, we were all good friends and I have love for them,” Jordan said.

Jordan testified that he and his girlfriend were together all day on April 29, 2018, watching their kids play at a local playground. With nothing else to do, the two decided to hang out with Lynch and celebrate his birthday. Lynch, Jordan, Jordan’s girlfriend and a mutual female friend headed over to the apartment together.

“There was a lot of joking between Ivan and I during the car ride,” Jordan recalled. “The vibe was great until we got to the apartment. Ivan did not want me there, he wanted to be left alone with the girls.”

Things had died down between Jordan and Lynch until Jordan got into an argument with his girlfriend. Lynch confronted Jordan, telling him that if he has a problem with her, he should handle it with him.

Jordan testified that he pushed Lynch, prompting Lynch to pick him up, slam him on his neck and choke him until he was unconscious. After gaining consciousness, Jordan said he saw Lynch on the floor, grabbed the kids and left the apartment.

Many of the answers Jordan gave to his lawyer’s questions had to be stricken from the record because he went beyond the parameters of what he was allowed to talk about. DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt eventually asked Queen to stick to yes or no questions. Queen decided to conclude his direct examination instead.

Before the jury entered the courtroom, Queen argued a motion for judgment of acquittal on the murder and robbery charges.

“There was no premeditation or deliberation on Jordan’s part. The prosecution has not proven that this is premeditated,” he said. “There have been 28 witnesses and there is no evidence of premeditation and these eyewitness testimonies have not been credible.”

Queen went on to argue that his client did not use a knife to stab Lynch. “Nor can we say a knife was on his person or if a robbery even occurred,” he said.

The prosecutor shot back, arguing that premeditation as it was explained to the jury can happen in a matter of seconds.

“For the robbery, after the stabbing, the defendant went through the decedent’s pockets taking his phone and wallet,” she said. “When he was later arrested the decedent’s keys were found on Jordan’s person. A witness also gave testimony that he could not find the knife after the stabbing.”

Judge Brandt denied the defense’s motion. Johnson is expected to be cross-examined on April 6.

Follow this case