Defendant Was ‘The Imminent Danger,’ Not the Reverse, Prosecutors Say in 1997 Homicide Trial

Prosecutors alleged a defendant fatally shot two rival gang members during a fist fight in 1997 before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on March 17.

Oscar Diaz-Romero, 47, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Jose Noel Coreas-Carcaro, 22, and Jose Molina, 27, in a restaurant on the 2400 block of 18th Street, NW, on Aug. 9, 1997.

According to court documents, Diaz-Romero was allegedly in a rival gang including Coreas-Carcaro and Molina. Both gangs showed up at the same bar and a fist fight broke out between them.

Prosecutors claimed Diaz-Romero escalated the fist fight by using a gun and taking two lives. He wasn’t “in imminent danger. [He was] the imminent danger,” prosecutors said.

After the shooting, prosecutors alleged Diaz-Romero ran out of the back entrance and fled to El Salvador, where he hid for almost 30 years before being extradited back to the United States in January 2025.

Prosecutors said multiple witnesses at the scene identified Diaz-Romero as the shooter through his Miami Dolphins jersey, tattoos, or nickname, “Kiko.”

According to prosecutors, those identifications supported a warrant for Diaz-Romero’s arrest, but when Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers got to his house at the time, he was gone. MPD officers searched his house and found his resident alien card, which the prosecutors said was “not the kind of card [Diaz-Romero would] leave behind if [he was] ever going to come back.”

As part of the prosecution’s opening slideshow, they displayed a photo taken in 1999 of a detective and Diaz-Romero together in El Salvador. They argued the photo was evidence of Diaz-Romero’s location in El Salvador just two years after this incident until his extradition in 2025.

According to prosecutors, the detective went to El Salvador to find criminals who escaped the United States to a safe haven free from extradition. While there, he found Diaz-Romero and captured the photo as evidence.

Diaz-Romero’s attorney, Destiny Fullwood-Singh, acknowledged Diaz-Romero was at the bar around the time of the homicides, but he wasn’t the shooter.

Following the shooting, Fullwood-Singh said MPD officers brought in a group of “suspects,” none of whom were Diaz-Romero. She stated that the other suspects had “every reason to lie” to shift guilt away from them towards Diaz-Romero and many of them will testify on the prosecution’s behalf.

“They will contradict each other. They will contradict themselves,” Fullwood-Singh said. She cautioned the jury that multiple versions of the incident will emerge because the group of suspects couldn’t keep their stories straight. The day of the incident, she said, the group drove away together, had a conversation about what to present to the police, and then made themselves available.

She noted the lack of a firearm, DNA evidence, and matching fingerprints connecting Diaz-Romero to the crime.

Additionally, the story that the defendant “fled” to El Salvador is not true, Fullwood-Singh said. MPD detectives knew where Diaz-Romero was, even in 2010, when the first successful extradition of a Salvadoran national occurred.

Fullwood-Singh reminded the jury of the photo introduced by the prosecution of a MPD detective and Diaz-Romero sitting together in El Salvador from the early 2000s. “That’s not a man in hiding,” she stated. “They knew exactly where he was.”

After openings, prosecutors examined two family members of the victims. Molina’s mother testified that her son was “a good man.” “He got along well with everybody,” she said.

Prosecutors also called Coreas-Carcaro’s sister, who told the jury that her brother was “loving” and “always joking.”

Prosecutors also called a United States Secret Service (USSS) officer who responded to the crime scene. The officer said he was flagged down and told that a shooting had occurred at the bar.

The officer explained how he entered the second floor of the bar and saw two bodies near the bathroom “laying across each other.” After MPD took over the investigation, he had no other involvement with the case.

On cross examination from Diaz-Romero’s other attorney, Julie Swaney, the officer said he was unsure if the victims were dead when he saw them, so he called for an ambulance but didn’t examine them.

Prosecutors then called an acquaintance of Diaz-Romero who was at the bar on the morning of the shooting. The witness knew Diaz-Romero as “Kiko,” through mutual friends and having only met him a few times.

The acquaintance testified to seeing Diaz-Romero in the bar that morning and later as a part of the “big scuffle” between two groups happening on the floor.

According to the acquaintance, members from different groups began fighting on the floor in front of the bar. He said it was, “just chaos. Everyone was flying.” Everyone was throwing punches, he said, Diaz-Romero included.

Suddenly, he said he heard gunshots erupt from the fight. He and his friends fled and went back to their car before being picked up by police and questioned about the incident.

He also told the jury that one of his friends told him Diaz-Romero, who was wearing a number 13 Miami Dolphins jersey at the bar, was the shooter.

Due to time constraints, the defense will cross-examine the acquaintance when the trial reconvenes another day.

In addition, the prosecutors called the crime scene analyst to testify who collected physical evidence from the scene, including bullet fragments, clothing, and latent prints. She explained for the jury that crime scene officers’ duties are to “document crime scenes and recover evidence.”

On cross examination, she clarified that MPD officers set up the crime scene perimeter, not her and she never spoke to witnesses and was only focused on the physical evidence.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 18.

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to Fatally Shooting Fleeing Woman

A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on March 20.

Mercury Ford, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Tequila Parker, 32, on the 2300 block of Pitts Place, SE, on May 27, 2025. Parker sustained two gunshot wounds to her back and thigh.

According to court documents, surveillance footage allegedly showed Parker fighting another person who was with Ford. Parker attempted to run away when Ford allegedly took out a gun and fired at her as she ran. The footage then reportedly showed Parker falling to the ground.

At the hearing, the court formally arraigned Ford on the charges against him and his attorney, Yladrea Nicola Drummond, pleaded not guilty on his behalf and asserted his right to a speedy trial.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on May 18.

Defense Says Police Destroyed Homicide Evidence, Asks Judge to Dismiss Case

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz delayed his ruling on motions for a homicide defendant after a defense request over claims police destroyed evidence in a hearing on March 20.

Jaime Macedo, 24, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE on July 5, 2023.

At the motions hearing, parties argued over defense counsel’s motion to dismiss the case for the prosecution’s allegedl destruction of evidence which was filed on Feb. 21.

Jessica Willis and Rachel Cicurel, Macedo’s attorneys, claimed that the destruction of the body-worn camera footage and physical evidence at the crime scene by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is a violation of Macedo’s constitutional protection to due process.

Prosecutors argued that they did not know about the MPD’s destruction of the evidence until after it occurred and noted the defense did not raise the issue until recently.

Parties then discussed proposed sanctions the defense sent to prosecutors the night prior that would prevent the prosecutors from calling certain witnesses and presenting disputed evidence.

Willis and Cicurel want Judge Kravitz to prohibit prosecutors from using calls and messages from Macedo at the DC Jail. They argued if the destroyed evidence was provided to them, Macedo could have been on release, and forced to use jail phones.

Another proposed defense sanction would prohibit the prosecution from calling police officers that investigated the scene because of their interactions with the lead detective who faces misconduct allegations.

Prosecutors told Judge Kravitz that their most important evidence does not rely on the defense requests, so the sanctions would have little to no effect on them.

Judge Kravitz planned to rule on the motions after the weekend so he has ample time to go over the material.

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 23 for jury selection.

Teen Armed Carjacking Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

A 17-year-old carjacking defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on March 13.

Frederick Etheridge, 17, was originally charged with armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stemmed from Etheridge’s alleged involvement in an armed carjacking on the 2800 block of Erie Street, SE on Oct. 25, 2024, and an armed robbery on the 2700 block of Terrace Road, SE on Jan. 3, 2025.

Etheridge was charged under Title 16, which allows for juveniles to be tried as adults for certain serious offenses.

Etheridge accepted an offer from prosecutors that required him to plead guilty to armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a carjacking on Dec. 30 2024 on 2900 block of Erie Street, SE.

In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss any greater or remaining charges in this case and an unrelated assault case. In addition, prosecutors will not seek an indictment with additional charges related to the Oct. 25, 2024, Jan. 3, 2024, and two additional incidents.

The prosecution said if the case had proceeded to trial, their evidence would have proved that Etheridge, with another suspect, carjacked a white Kia Sorento on Dec. 30, 2024 with a firearm. Etheridge and the other suspect, patted the victim down and stole a satchel the victim was wearing.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 11.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Fatal Shooting of His Girlfriend’s Fiancé

A defendant accepted a plea deal for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend’s fiance before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 20.

Stephon Shields, 29, was originally charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, first-degree felony murder while armed, first-degree burglary while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 58-year-old James Samuels. The incident occurred on the 2900 block of Nelson Place, SE, on June 2, 2023.

According to court documents, Samuels sustained gunshot wounds to his arms, thighs, shoulder, chest, abdomen, lower back, buttock, and penis.

During the hearing, Shields accepted a deal from prosecutors that required him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed, which holds a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. Prosecutors will dismiss any greater or remaining charges against Shields.

The prosecution, and Shields’ attorney, Andrew Ain, agreed to 19 years in prison as part of the plea. Judge Brandt will accept or reject this recommendation during sentencing, and should she reject it, Shields may rescind his guilty plea.

The prosecutor stated that had this case gone to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that after being released from prison, Shields went to the residence of his girlfriend and confronted her about cheating on him. According to the prosecutor, the girlfriend was simultaneously in a relationship with Samuels and Shields, causing Shields to seek out Samuels and get into a tussle with him before shooting him to death, the prosecutor said.

Shields began tearing up when asked about his involvement in the incident.

“I know it’s hard. You’re doing great, you’re doing well,” Judge Brandt told him. “Hang in there sir.”

After finding Shields understood that he waived his right to a trial, Judge Brandt accepted his guilty plea.

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 29 for sentencing.

Judge Finds Police Stabbing Defendant Mentally Competent to Stand Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found a defendant accused of stabbing a police officer mentally competent on March 20.

Ian Zephyrin, 46, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and assault on a police officer while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 600 block of Florida Avenue, NW, on June 24, 2025. One individual sustained stab wounds to his head.

According to court documents, the victim, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, confronted Zephyrin when he was allegedly attempting to steal items from a CVS. The victim and Zephyrin reportedly got into a physical fight before Zephyrin was forced to the ground with the help of other officers. After Zephyrin was handcuffed, the victim realized his head had been cut.

Based on the most recent report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), Zephyrin was determined mentally competent. At the hearing, Judge Brandt accepted the finding. To stand trial, a defendant must understand the charges against him and be able to aid his attorney in his defense.

The prosecution and Zephyrin’s attorney, Todd Baldwin, both agreed with the DBH report and the judge’s ruling.

Baldwin requested Zephyrin remain at Saint Elizabeths Hospital for psychiatric treatment. He told Judge Brandt he’s worried that if Zephyrin is returned to the DC Jail, he will lose his competency status.

Judge Brandt told Baldwin that because Zephyrin was found competent, she doesn’t have the ability to keep him at the hospital. If his competency declines at the jail, she said, he’ll be sent back to the hospital.

The parties are slated to reconvene on May 13.

Former Detective Says He Traveled to El Salvador to Locate 1997 Murder Defendant

A former Fairfax County detective testified in a 1997 murder trial before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on March 19, stating that he traveled to El Salvador in 1999 before extraditions were legal to locate the defendant.

Oscar Diaz-Romero, 47, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Jose Molina and 22-year-old Jose Noel Coreas-Carcamo in a restaurant on the 2400 block of 18th Street, NW on Aug. 9, 1997. Diaz- Romero was extradited from El Salvador in 2025.

The former Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) lead detective in the case testified that multiple witnesses present at the scene identified Diaz-Romero as the suspect in a photo lineup following the incident. The former MPD detective said that at least five different witnesses were shown a photo lineup and identified Diaz-Romero as the shooter.

According to court documents, some of these witnesses described the shooter as wearing a Miami Dolphins football jersey. On cross-examination, the former detective said that no jersey was recovered after a search of Diaz-Romero’s residence.

The former detective also said Diaz-Romero was allegedly a member of the “Mara Pershing” gang, a group based around Pershing Avenue in Arlington.

An eyewitness who identified Diaz-Romero in 1997 to the former detective in a photo lineup also testified.

While the prosecution focused on confirming the eyewitness’ identification, defense attorney Destiny Fullwood-Singh pressed the witness on whether he had ever asked the prosecution to write a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on his behalf. The eyewitness denied this.

A former detective from the Fairfax Police Department also testified to having provided aid to MPD detectives working the case in the 1990s. The former Fairfax detective said he provided MPD with an identification of Diaz-Romero and his nickname at the time, “Kiko,” adding he primarily worked with MPD to secure a search warrant for Diaz-Romero’s former address.

The former Fairfax detective confirmed that before 2000, extraditions from El Salvador were not allowed. However, he said he traveled to El Salvador in 1999 to verify if suspects in his cases were living there. The prosecution displayed a photo showing him and Diaz-Romero together during this trip.

The prosecution also called a witness from the United States Marshals Service (USMS) who recounted retrieving Diaz-Romero from custody in El Salvador.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 23.

Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea in 3-Year-Old Case

A shooting defendant pleaded guilty in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on March 12.

Marvin Smith, 33, was initially charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE on March 22, 2022. The incident left one victim with gunshot injuries to both legs.

At the hearing, Smith accepted a deal from prosecutors and pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of firearm with a prior conviction.

In return, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all remaining charges, limit their sentence request to seven years imprisonment, and not oppose concurrent sentences for the three charges.

According to the prosecution, the maximum penalty for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence is 15 years confinement with a minimum of five years. Assault with a dangerous weapon holds a maximum of 10 years in prison with a minimum of one year in prison. Unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years with a minimum of one year in prison.

The prosecution stated if the case went to trial, they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that on the day of the offense, Smith was engaged in a verbal altercation with the victim. Smith accused the victim of bumping him in the chest, then he brandished a handgun and fired at the victim. Smith pushed the victim to the ground, struck him on the head with the handgun, and fired two more shots, hitting the victim’s legs.

The prosecution said that Smith’s actions were not in self-defense and had no legal justification.

After finding Smith understood the rights he gave up by entering this plea, Judge Arthur accepted Smith’s guilty plea.

Parties stated their intent to credit Smith with time served. According to court records, He has been held since December 2022.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 15.

Judge Finds Probable Cause a Year After Fatal Shooting, Defendant Detained

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park found probable cause in a fatal shooting case exactly one year after the incident on March 20.

Cory Noble, 27, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the homicide of Tre’von Norman, 25, on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE on March 20, 2025.

Norman sustained six gunshot wounds: two on both sides of his back, one to his left lateral torso, one to his left index finger, one to his right buttlock, and a graze wound to his left leg.

Judge Park ordered Noble to remain detained, following his finding there was probable cause that he was involved in the homicide. Judge Park said Noble was a danger to the community, referencing a prior trespassing conviction and failure to comply with court conditions of release.

At the hearing, the prosecution called in the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who described evidence he collected, including video footage from inside the apartment complex where the shooting occurred and maps with screenshots of Noble’s GPS monitor that tracked his whereabouts.

The prosecutors showed Ring camera surveillance video inside the apartment complex of an individual the detective identified as Noble and another man. In the video, the individual alleged to be Noble, paced back and forth with a weapon in his hand while the other man was taking a call. The detective said MPD identified Noble in the video through his clothing, a hoodie with a design, which was similar to clothing in other footage they collected.

The prosecution also showed the detective’s maps of Noble’s GPS tracker indicating his movements in relation to the crime scene. According to the detective, the GPS data aligned with areas where the investigators recovered evidence, including two drops of blood near a building entrance and eleven shell casings.

During cross-examination, Noble’s attorney, Madalyn Harvey, emphasized that there was no video footage capturing the actual shooting and there were no eyewitnesses. The detective also confirmed there was no firearm recovered, only the eleven shell casings.

Harvey noted there was evidence of Norman’s phone conversation with another individual who ostensibly wanted to purchase a watch from him. According to Harvey, this individual was planning to rob Norman who was found with personal belongings, including cash, his phone, and two watches, supporting the claim. Harvey argued that Noble had no direct connection with Norman, noting the lack of evidence of prior conversations or a relationship between them.

Harvey argued there was no probable cause for the charge against Noble because the case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence. She also asserted the individual who planned to rob Norman was responsible for his murder, not Noble.

Judge Park found probable cause because of the video of Noble allegedly with a firearm, GPS placing him near the scene, and the identification of Noble through his clothing.

Harvey then asked for Noble’s release, citing that he has a supportive family and is innocent.

The prosecutor opposed this request arguing that there is evidence demonstrating Noble’s involvement in the crime and he is a danger to the community.

Noble will remain held and the parties are scheduled to reconvene on Aug. 20.

Compliant Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing in Roommate Stabbing Case

A stabbing defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing of the evidence against him before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum on March 18.

Raheem Johnson, 40, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing at the 1800 block of Newton Street, NW on Feb. 12. The victim sustained a laceration to her forearm.

According to court documents, the incident reportedly began as a roommate disagreement when Johnson accused the victim of stealing his steak. Johnson claimed the victim gestured at him with a hot pan and knife. The victim claimed Johnson pushed her before he grabbed a steak knife, waved it at the victim, followed her upstairs, and slashed at her arm. A detective observed a minor injury on Johnson’s hand.

At the hearing Johnson’s attorney, Elliot Queen, informed Judge Hildum that his client waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Judge Hildum accepted the waiver as knowing and voluntary.

A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) updated the court on Johnson’s release compliance. They stated, he is in perfect compliance.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 20.

Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Offer, Opts for Trial

A shooting defendant rejected a plea offer extended by the prosecution in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on March 17.

Mario Kirksey, 36, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that injured one victim on the 1300 block of Okie Street, NE on Feb. 28, 2024.

The prosecution extended an offer that would have required Kirksey to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss the remaining charges and request concurrent sentences for both charges in the bottom third of the guidelines range or the mandatory minimum.

Kirksey’s new defense attorney, Kevin O’Sullivan, rejected the plea offer and stated his client would like to go to trial.

O’Sullivan was appointed as Kirksey’s new defense attorney on March 6, after the defendant requested new counsel to replace Terrence Austin.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on May 1.

Shooting Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing

A shooting defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Herrmann on March 18.

Vernell Holliday, 34, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with prior conviction greater than a year for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place at the 1400 block of Clifton Street, NW on March 7.

According to court documents, the victim stated his nephew was in his bedroom when the victim heard what sounded like a gunshot, and something dropped in the living room. When looking at it further, the victim reportedly saw a hole in the wall and drywall debris on the ground. Investigators traced the gunshot to a nearby apartment where they allegedly found Holliday in possession of a firearm and drugs. No injuries were reported.

At the hearing, Holliday’s attorney, Madhuri Swarna, alerted parties that her client requested to waive his preliminary hearing in order to keep the prosecution’s plea offer open. No details of the deal were discussed in court.

Swarna asked for her client’s release and explained that Holliday has two daughters, is receiving mental health treatment, and is enrolled in a virtual college for music science.

The prosecution requested that Holliday remain held and stated that the facts of the case involve a 14-year-old juvenile, the victim’s nephew, who was present in the apartment building he shot into.

In addition to this, Holliday was previously banned by a different judge in an unrelated case from possessing firearms. The prosecution noted Holliday has four prior assault convictions, an attempted robbery conviction, and was on parole at the time of the offense.

As a result, Judge Herrmann agreed with the prosecution that the facts of the case are enough to maintain Holliday’s hold.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 7.

Judge Releases Teen Homicide Defendant After Finding Probable Cause

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park found probable cause in a fatal shooting case involving a 17-year-old victim, but released the defendant to home confinement on March 16.

Jaylnn Jamison, 18, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Tristan Johnson. The incident took place near the Stadium Armory Metro Station on the 1900 block of C Street, SE, on Nov. 8, 2025.

During the preliminary hearing, the prosecution called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who investigated the shooting and wrote Jamison’s arrest warrant. Prosecutors played a video from about 12:20 p. m. the day of the shooting, in which two individuals in a Metro car were beaten and robbed of a coat by four other individuals.

The detective claimed that he spoke to someone who identified herself and her friend, Jamison, as the two individuals who were beaten in the video and said they took Jamison’s coat. The identity of Jamison and her friend in the video was allegedly confirmed by the friend’s mother, who was also interviewed by the MPD detective.

Defense attorney Hannah Claudio played the same clip, and the detective identified Johnson as one of the people who robbed Jamison.

Claudio then played footage from the Stadium Armory Metro Station, which showed the four individuals who robbed Jamison and her friend exit the Metro car and run out of the station. The video also showed Jamison and her friend exit the Metro car and approach two National Guard members in the station. According to the detective, Jamison and her friend reported the robbery to the National Guard.

The detective said both members of the National Guard were interviewed during the investigation over the phone, days after the incident. One guard member stated that he didn’t see any weapons on Johnson or anyone from his group, but said he didn’t have a good enough look to make a substantial claim.

The other National Guard soldier described Jamison and her friend as a boy with a ski mask and a girl wearing a pink coat, noted Claudio, and questioned the detective about the accuracy of this description. The detective said the video evidence from inside the Metro station did not match up with that description.

According to the detective, after the robbery, Johnson and his cousin, two of the four individuals who robbed Jamison, exited the station and visited Johnson’s girlfriend’s house nearby.

Johnson’s cousin claimed that he and Johnson were never inside the Metro the day of the shooting, a statement Claudio confirmed with the detective was inconsistent with video evidence.

During the shooting, Johnson’s girlfriend and her sister were at a house nearby, and both claimed to hear shots fired. The girlfriend said she saw Jamison’s friend running down the street with someone she recognized, a name the detective said is not associated with Jamison.

Johnson’s girlfriend’s sister claimed that Jamison and her friend were known to commit robberies together. However, Claudio stated that Jamison had never been stopped or arrested for robbery.

According to the warrant, another witness, who was across the street during the shooting, claimed to hear shots and run over to a window where the witness said they saw someone approach a person on the ground and attempt to steal his jacket. The witness then exited the apartment, walked towards the victim, and called 911. This witness described the shooter as a little boy who fled the scene with his sister.

Claudio also questioned the detective about the testimony of Jamison’s friend. According to the detective, the friend originally had said that there were two friends with her at the time of the shooting, Jamison and another female. When the friend was interviewed a second time, she changed her story, claiming that the other female was not present.

The friend also stated that she and Jamison returned to the Metro station in an attempt to find the coat that had been stolen, not to hurt anyone.

According to court documents, when Jamison and her friend returned to the Stadium Armory Metro Station later in the day, they reportedly encountered the group of individuals who had robbed them on the train hours earlier.

The detective said the friend told him they never saw Jamison with a gun or had previously seen her holding a firearm.

Claudio discussed the detective’s interview with an eyewitness who said that he saw a 10-year-old boy and a girl chasing another individual outside the Stadium Armory Metro Station. The individual being chased, identified by the detective as Johnson, pushed the boy down the stairs. According to the eyewitness, the boy then pulled a gun on the victim before the victim jumped on the boy in an attempt to grab the gun. According to the eyewitness, a shot was fired at the victim, and the boy fled the scene. The prosecution and detective claim the boy described by the eyewitness is Jamison.

The detective claimed that although no firearm was recovered from the scene, a bullet casing was found outside the station.

Claudio claimed that the prosecution didn’t meet the standard for probable cause because they failed to prove Jamison’s identity at the scene of the crime, noting the two National Guard members conflicted with one another. Claudio added that Johnson’s girlfriend and her sister had bias towards Jamison and her friend because they used slurs to describe them.

Additionally, Claudio stated that the eyewitness’ testimony could have been easily inaccurate, as he was interviewed by MPD weeks after the incident and said it was a boy who fired the shots.

Claudio also argued that mitigating circumstances created grounds for self-defense, as Jamison was robbed and beaten earlier in the day, and knew Johnson was capable of violent behavior. Furthermore, Johnson was larger than Jamison, and shots were only fired once Johnson was physically on top of Jamison.

Judge Park found probable cause, stating that the eyewitness’ testimony doesn’t support the self-defense argument.

Prosecutors argued in favor of continued detention, claiming that Jamison was angry about the robbery and murdered Johnson in an effort to seek revenge.

Johnson’s mother made a statement, requesting Judge Park, “Hold [Jamison] accountable for her actions,” saying she “murdered [her] son.”

Claudio asked for Jamison’s release, saying Jamison has “amazing character,” a great work history, the support of her family, community, and members of her church. Claudio emphasized Jamison’s importance to the community by stating that 10 of her teachers took time off from work to be present in the courtroom.

Despite the pleading from the victim’s mother, Judge Park released Jamison on 24-hour home confinement at her mother’s residence, saying her record weighed in favor of release.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 24 before the case’s calendar judge, DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman.

Non-Fatal Stabbing Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing, Detained

A non-fatal stabbing defendant waived her right to a preliminary hearing and was denied release on March 17 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum.

Denita Harris, 29, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the unit block of Galveston Street, SE on Jan. 27. The victim was stabbed in the left thigh during the incident, and later transported to a hospital.

According to court documents, Harris and the victim had allegedly been in a relationship, and Harris was going to pick up her items from the victim’s residence. When Harris arrived at the house, the victim did not let her enter, and handed her items back. Harris then reportedly broke in through the back door, and stabbed the victim in the left thigh while he was on the phone with 911.

Harris waived her right to a preliminary hearing.

Adgie O’Bryant, Harris’ attorney, argued for Harris’ release in this case under conditions of a stay-away order, along with GPS monitoring and home confinement. O’Bryant stated Harris had a son to take care of and stable housing.

Prosecutors opposed release, since this was not the first time Harris had broken into the victim’s house and Harris has a past violent history, she should not be on release.

O’Bryant stated that a GPS and stay-away order would ensure that Harris does not return to the victim’s residence.

Judge Hildum denied the release request, saying that Harris had a civil stay-away order against her, running from 2025-to-2027, from a different individual. Judge Hildum also cited her criminal history including a simple assault and another assault with a dangerous weapon charge.

Parties are set to reconvene on April 15.

Jury Acquits Defendant of Obstructing Justice in Homicide Case

After less than a day of deliberations, jurors acquitted an obstruction of justice defendant before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on March 19.

Aillayh Carter, 29, was charged with two counts of obstructing justice for allegedly attempting to influence witnesses in a homicide case by initially claiming she was responsible.

On Feb. 20, Carter’s case was severed from her fiancé, Robert Carpenter, 37, who is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Tremaine Nicholson. The incident occurred on May 7, 2024 on the 3400 block of 25th Street, SE.

After Judge Ryan clarified the jury’s confusion about certain language during the parties’ closing statements, the panel came back with a not guilty verdict on both counts.

In her happiness with the outcome, Carater asked if she could thank the jury personally after parties were dismissed, but was advised not to do so by Judge Ryan.

No further hearings were set for Carter.

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