Document: Arrest Made in Northeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made in connection to a shooting that killed a man on Sept. 17, on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male with gunshot wound injuries. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 34-year-old Michael McKinney.

On Dec. 8, pursuant to an arrest warrant from the DC Superior Court, 23-year-old Tyree Sanders was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in 14-Year-Old Homicide After Recanted Testimony

On Nov. 14, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found probable cause and is holding a homicide defendant without release in a 14-year-old-muder case.

Randolph Thomas, 40, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Emmanuel Durant Jr. on Dec. 31, 2009.

Thomas previously pled guilty to a murder that occurred 20 some hours before the shooting of Durant Jr., in which he fatally shot Chardale Bowe on Dec. 31, 2009, on the 4800 block of North Capitol Street, NE.

During the hearing, the prosecutor called the lead detective from this case to confirm the affidavit he wrote and to testify regarding the plea agreement Thomas took in the Bowe case.

Thomas’s defense attorney, Todd Baldwin, asked the detective about any promises made to a witness for changing his testimony years later, and the detective claimed there were no promises made to the witness, but the witness seems to think his testimony will help his own sentence.

Baldwin argued the detective does not know whether the witness’ new testimony is the truth or not and that this new testimony is the only identification connecting Thomas to Durant’s shooting.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, officers responded to the 200 block of Webster Street, NE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located Durant on the 200 block of Hawaii Avenue, NE, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The prosecutor argued that the witness did not lie in the Grand Jury for this case and that the witness had information about the same gun being used in Thomas’ previous conviction and in this homicide. The prosecutor showed Judge Epstein evidence of MPD matching the shell casings and bullets recovered from both cases to the same gun.

According to parties, a witness who testified in 2010 in front of a Grand Jury in Bowe’s case admitted in 2020 he falsified information that he didn’t know about Thomas’ involvement in Bowe’s murder. In 2020 the witness agreed to cooperate with the police in hopes of his new testimony helping his own sentence regarding a homicide.

In Baldwin’s argument against probable cause, aside from the witness’ changed testimony, prosecutors do not have anything linking Thomas to Durant Jr.’s shooting, and “guns are transferred easily”.

Judge Epstein said usually guns are transferred easily, but these two homicides were only around 20 hours apart so the idea that that gun was transferred is not as feasible.

The prosecutor argued the shell casings are a match for the same gun and the police learned from the witness that he knew the same gun was used in both shootings.

Judge Epstein then found the prosecutor had established probable cause because of the witness’ new testimony and because Thomas pleaded guilty in the homicide that occurred around 20 hours before the murder of Durant Jr.

After hearing from both parties, Judge Epstein granted the prosecutor’s request for Thomas to be held as he awaits further proceedings.

The next hearing is Jan. 12.

Witness Describes Chaos at Non-Fatal Shooting, I Screamed ‘Jesus’ Three Times. I Couldn’t Move.

On Nov. 21, witnesses to a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred outside a church after a funeral testified in the trial of defendant Saphire Johnson.

Johnson, 24, is charged with aggravated assault while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon, among other charges, for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 28 at the 4000 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

The shooting occurred outside of Johnson’s grandmother’s church funeral after a dispute between family members. Two people, including Johnson, sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.

The incident was caught on surveillance footage.

The prosecution began by calling a minister who had been on traffic duty at the time. According to the witness, he did not see what precipitated the incident, but stated he saw Johnson jump a nearby fence before ducking behind a car. Johnson, said the witness, then got out from behind the car holding a gun and fired shots. According to prosecutors and defense attorneys, Johnson was then shot by her cousin.

The minister testified that he did not see if the man Johnson was firing at was armed with a gun, that she claimed he had. He also didn’t hear either party make threats towards the other.

In cross-examination the witness said that after Johnson fired shots, he heard the man she had been in a dispute with yelling “You shot my girl”. He also said that he had been afraid of the man before the shots were fired, stating that he seemed angry.

The prosecution then called the mother of the child that had been involved in the incident triggering the dispute. According to Johnson’s defense attorneys Varsha Govindaraju and Christen Phillips, the argument occurred after Johnson heard her relative threatening to “slap the sh**” out of his fifteen-year-old daughter.

The witness testified that the relative who had been in the argument with Johnson had been intimidating her before Johnson was involved. Johnson then inserted herself into the situation, allegedly saying “We’re not going to sit here and let you put your hands on her”.

The witness said he was about to hit his daughter. According to the defense, she had testified in the grand jury that she was afraid he would hit her as well, but, during the trial, she changed her statement and said that she had not been afraid.

Prosecutors called a police officer who interviewed Johnson while she was in the hospital. He said that she was not originally treated as a suspect and could not say who shot her. She also complained she was not being given proper pain medication.

Then, the prosecution called a crime scene analyst who testified he processed multiple bloody handprints, shell casings, and a broken window at the scene.

During the defense’s cross-examination, it was revealed no ballistics testing had been done nor swabs for DNA evidence or fingerprints.

The next witness was the aunt of the man with whom Johnson was arguing.

According to the witness, the daughter was the focus of the man’s anger and he began yelling in her face after Johnson appeared. The witness did not remember having seen a gun or any indications that the man was carrying one. She testified that Johnson pulled a gun shortly after the man began yelling.

“I saw the defendant with her feet planted, with a gun, and it was pointed directly at me. I screamed ‘Jesus’ three times. I couldn’t move. I was directly in the line of fire and I couldn’t move. I will never forget that,” she said.

When the defense asked if she would lie on the stand for her nephew, she insisted that she would not lie for anyone.

According to the defense, the aunt’s version of the story is inaccurate and she was not in the line of fire. Surveillance video does not show Johnson pointing a gun at her, and defense claims Johnson and the witness’ nephew broke away from the group before any shots were fired, as was captured on surveillance footage.

“That’s just not accurate,” defense attorney Govindaraju said about her version of the story.

The trial is set to resume Nov. 27.

Judge Holds Homicide Defendant During Presentments

On Dec. 6, DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd U Nolan, Jr decided to hold a homicide defendant during a presentment hearing.

Anthony Goncalves, 51, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting of a juvenile at the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, the victim was waiting to get on the bus when someone began shooting at him. He was shot nine times. There is no known connection between Goncalves and the victim.

Judge Nolan decided there is enough evidence to determine probable cause and decided to hold Goncalves until his preliminary hearing.

A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 18 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

Document: Man Killed in Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Dec. 6 on the 2600 block of Naylor Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 24-year-old Tyejuan Harkum.

MPD is offering a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District.

Defendant Sentenced to Ten Years for Fatally Stabbing Uncle

On Dec. 6, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a homicide defendant charged in connection to his uncle’s stabbing to ten years imprisonment.

Marcus Isom, 44, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of his uncle, 67-year-old Michael Stover, on Jan. 22, 2022, in a house on the 500 block of 55th Street, NE.

According to court documents, on the day of the incident, Isom and Stover got into an argument, during which Isom accused Stover of stealing money during a New Year’s Eve Party. During the argument, Stover was laying in bed with his partner. Stover eventually tried to disengage from his interaction with Isom and laid face up on a bed. Stover’s partner told officers that when Stover laid face up, Isom stabbed Stover in the stomach. Isom then told the witness to sit down or she would be next.

On Sept. 7, Isom accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors which required he plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges and a guaranteed ten year sentence.

The prosecution, in reading their sentencing memorandum to the court, said the Stover’s stabbing is both tragic for Isom’s and Stover’s family.

Prosecutors insisted the sum of money that Isom wanted from Stover doesn’t justify the murder and requested Judge Okun impose the agreed upon ten year sentence.

Isom’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, asked Judge Okun to consider the fact that Isom has had a rough time in jail, citing his struggles with mental health issues.

According to Irving, during some of Isom’s jail calls with his mother, he has “broken down,” and “showed a lot of love for his uncle.”

Irving stated Isom mentioned he didn’t realize the stabbing would result in Stover’s death, arguing that Isom’s anger and alcohol may have played a role in his actions.

“I love my uncle and I have made mistakes in the past,” Isom said in his statement to the court. “When I get out, I want to focus on getting my life back together.”

After Isom acknowledged wrongdoing for his crime, Judge Okun noted that the defense and the prosecution were unopposed to a ten year sentence, which includes five years of supervised release.

As part of his sentencing requirements, Isom must participate in anger management classes and seek employment.

No further dates were set by the parties.

Opening Statements Delivered in 2021 Homicide Trial

On Dec. 6, opening statements and witness testimony were given in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Mussye Rezene, 31, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, for his alleged involvement in the death of 17-year-old Brayan Villatoro on the 1300 block of Nicholson Street, NW.

“If you follow the phone, and follow the shoes, you’ll find the defendant, Mussye Rezene,” said prosecutors in their opening statements.

Prosecutors explained that on the day of the incident, Villatoro was going to a party with a few friends in Maryland but stopped to meet an individual named “Moose,” for a drug transaction. Prosecutors claimed “Moose” is Rezene’s known nickname.

Prosecutors showed the jury a series of messages sent on Instagram between Rezene and Villatoro, and argued that during the initial investigation, Rezene was a possible suspect because they had discussed doing a drug deal in the messages.

Prosecutors displayed surveillance footage from the incident location, which they argue shows Villatoro arriving in a Black Dodge Grand Caravan, getting out of the car, and waiting for Rezene.

According to prosecutors,one of Villatoro’s friends, who was in the vehicle, asked him if he wanted companyl, but he declined the offer.

In the footage, an individual, identified as Rezene by prosecutors, is seen pulling up in a blue Chrysler, stopping a few feet away from Villatoro’s vehicle, driving off and circling the block, and parking next to Villatoro’s car.

As they played the footage, prosecutors told the jury to look and take note of the individual, identified as Rezene’s, black shoes with white shoelaces as he got out of his car and walked with Villatoro into a nearby alleyway.

“They could’ve done the drug deal right there in front of the street but the defendant led him into an alleyway, and 30 seconds after they walked away from their cars Brayan was dead,” prosecutors told the jury.

Prosecutors argued Villatoro’s letting Rezene lead him to the alleyway showed the trust that they had built up leading up to the incident.

The prosecution then showed additional footage when Rezene and Villatoro entered the alleyway. Prosecutors said that part of the surveillance footage in the alleyway is obstructed by a large tree, but muzzle flashes can be seen and audio of eight gunshots was recorded.

The video then shows Rezene running from the alleyway following the gunshots, getting into his vehicle and fleeing .

According to prosecutors, 15 minutes after Villatoro went into the alleyway, his friends started calling his phone repeatedly trying to figure out where he was and if he was okay. His friends allege they didn’t hear any gunshots.

The prosecution said one of his friends then called Villatoro’s older brother who then called Rezene. The prosecution didn’t mention how his older brother originally knew Rezene or provided any details of how they met.

According to prosecutors, when Villatoro’s older brother called Rezene, Rezene answered and said “What’s up soldier?” and then immediately hung up on him with no explanation.

“That sounds like someone that does not want to talk,” prosecutors said when they discussed what happened during the brief call that Villatoro’s brother had with Rezene.

Prosecutors claimed that six hours after the murder, Rezene posted a photo on his Instagram account wearing the same shoes with the same white laces that were seen on the suspect.

According to court documents, the post had music with it, the song in it was “Murder” by the rapper Rylo Rodriguez and had the word “buckets” with an emoji of a basketball player next to it.

Additionally, prosecutors told the jury that when the police executed a search warrant of Rezene’s home, they found the same shoes with the white laces.

Prosecutors closed out their statement by asking the jury to find Rezene guilty of all charges.

Jonathan Zucker, Rezene’s defense attorney, said that the prosecution lacks evidence to prove that Rezene shot Villatoro.

“In this case, you will see stuff that is not contested, such as the fact that shots were fired,” Zucker said. “But, there is no proof that the same man that shot Brayan is Rezene.”

According to Zucker, Rezene had no hostility towards Villatoro leading up to the shooting.

Zucker notes that at one point, Rezene said in a text message to Villatoro before the murder, “I love our hood” to which Villatoro replied, “on God.”

According to court documents, “Villatoro was a validated member of the Hispanic gang Street Thug Criminal (STC) which operated in the surrounding area of the 1300 block of Peabody Street, NW.”

Zucker said there is “only evidence of friendship and there is also an element of business that Rezene and Villatoro’s relationship had to it.”

According to Zucker, the eight shell casings recovered at the crime scene did not have Rezene’s DNA on them. He also argued that, although a cell tower pinged his phone near the location, “it does not mean he was necessarily there. Someone else could have been.”

In closing his statement, Zucker said, “[the prosecutor] has direct evidence that Rezene went to meet Brayan, but they have no evidence that Rezene was the shooter.”

The trial is slated to resume Dec. 11.

Document: Wanted Suspect Apprehended for Homicide in Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a wanted suspect has been apprehended for a homicide that occurred on Sept. 1 on the 5100 block of Astor Place, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the scene, and after finding no signs consistent with life, the victim was pronounced and remained on the scene until transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).

The victim was identified as 32-year-old Mannin Quarles.

On Dec. 6, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant, members of the Carolina Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested 43-year-old Darrick Miles in Henderson, NC. Miles was wanted on a warrant charging him with second-degree murder while armed. He will go through the extradition process and will be returned to DC.

Document: Man Arrested for a Shooting in Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a man was arrested in connection to a shooting that occurred on Nov. 29 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to a report of a shooting at the location, where they located a juvenile male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

On Dec. 6, 51-year-old Anthony Adegbola Goncalves was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of unregistered ammunition, and felon in possession.

At the time of the arrest, a handgun was recovered by officers.

Document: Wanted Suspects Arrested in Triple Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of two men in connection to an Aug. 5 triple homicide that occurred on the 2500 block of Ontario Road, NW.

According to MPD document, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located three men with gunshot wound injuries. Two of the victims died at the scene, and were identified as 34-year-old James Morgan and 30-year-old Jamal Morgan.

The remaining victim was transported to a local hospital where he died on Aug. 7. He was identified as 42-year-old Vincent Martin.

On Dec. 5, 37-year-old Renza Bryant and 34-year-old Jalonte Thompkins were arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Document: Juvenile Arrested for Northwest Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) announced the arrest of a juvenile that occurred on Oct. 21 on the 900 block of U Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located 24-year-old Diamonte Lewis with gunshot wound injuries. He died at the scene.

On Dec. 5, Fairfax County Police located and arrested 16-year-old Ashton Inabinet pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant.

He waived his right to an extradition hearing and was transported to MPD’s Homicide Branch, where was charged as an adult with second-degree murder while armed.

Metro Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty During Arraignment

On Dec. 6, a shooting defendant was arraigned on 22 counts in front of DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.

Thomas Leach, 17, is charged with four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of assault with significant bodily injury, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, ten counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business.

He’s charged for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that left three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds, at the Benning Road Metro Station on the 4000 block of Central Avenue, NE, on Dec. 8, 2022.

According to court documents, Leach and the intended victim went to school together.

During the hearing, Leach’s defense attorney, Terrence Austin, alerted the court Leach was pleading not guilty to all charges, and asserted his constitutional right to a speedy trial.

A trial date was set for Oct. 3, 2024.

Parties will reconvene on Feb. 16, 2024.

Homicide Defendant in Teen’s Killing Accepts Plea Agreement

On Dec. 6, a homicide defendant accepted a plea agreement extended by prosecutors in front of DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

Eugene R. Williams, 18, and co-defendant Anthony Green, 28, were originally charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, for involvement in the death of 16-year-old DeShawn Francis on Feb. 8, 2022, on the unit block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

Francis succumbed to his injuries on Feb. 11, 2022.

On June 27, Green accepted a plea deal for one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. On Sept. 1, he was sentenced to four years incarceration.

During the Dec. 6 hearing, Williams’ defense attorney, Kevann Gardner, alerted the court that Williams was accepting an offer to plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

Prosecutors claimed that, had the case gone to trial, they would’ve proved beyond a reasonable doubt that on the day of the incident, Williams was the individual who shot Francis on his right temple, which caused his death.

Judge Raffinan accepted Williams’ plea, and found him guilty.

A sentencing hearing was scheduled for March 1, 2024.

Co-Defendants Accept a Plea Agreement for 2017 Homicide

On Dec. 6, co-defendants submitted plea agreements to DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein for their connection to a 2017 homicide case.

Gabriel Brown, 34, and Antonio Upshaw, 34, are charged in connection with the death of 24-year-old Tyrone Johnson. Johnson was fatally shot at the 2300 block of Pennsylvania, SE, on March 10, 2017.

Upshaw was released on home confinement in November of 2022. Brown is still being held at the DC jail.

The offer extended by prosecutors for Brown requires him to plead guilty to one count of second-degree murder in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges.

As for Upshaw, the offer requires him to plead guilty to one count of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

Judge Epstein went through all the procedural questions to ensure both defendants understood the conditions of pleading guilty.

He said he needs time to review before making his decision.

The defense attorney for Brown, Lee Smith, informed the court Brown must serve time elsewhere for an unrelated matter delaying the sentencing for Johnson’s homicide which Lee wants to happen as soon as possible.

It will take a couple months for Upshaw’s pre-sentencing report.

The prosecutor said “I do not wish to prolong this matter.” She recognized the sentencing will be an emotional time for the victim’s family. For this reason she wants “one time the family has to go through this.”

Judge Epstein agreed with the prosecutor and decided both defendants will be sentenced on the same day.

The parties will return for sentencing on Feb. 9, 2024.

Prosecutor Derides ‘Ludicrous’ Claims a Murder Witness Is the Killer

On Dec. 5, a defense attorney accused an eyewitness of murder during closing statements in a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

Marquette Jordan, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, assault, and carrying a dangerous weapon outside of a home or business with a prior felony, for his alleged connection to the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Ivan Lynch on April 30, 2018 at the 900 block of Fifth Street, SE.

“B***h I’ll kill you next,”prosecutors said to begin their closing arguments, “That’s what [Jordan] said to [the witness] after he killed Lynch.”

Prosecutors allege Jordan stabbed Lynch after he tried to stop him from assaulting the witness, who is Jordan’s former partner. They said, “In return for standing up for [the witness], Jordan stabbed Lynch with a butcher knife.”

Prosecutors claimed, “the evidence before you tells you what happened, that Jordan killed Lynch.”

Prosecutors alleged that, on the day of the murder, Lynch and his friend went to a barbeque for Lynch’s birthday. They then went back to his friend’s mother’s apartment, and on the way stopped to pick up Jordan’s former partner, her children, Jordan and Jordan’s friend.

According to prosecutors, an argument broke out between Jordan and Lynch on the drive over. Once at the apartment, Jordan became very angry berating his former girlfriend and threatening to hurt her.

That’s when Lynch stepped in and a fight broke out between the two which, led to Lynch’s fatal stabbing. The events were corroborated by three eyewitnesses who were in the apartment when the murder took place.

Prosecutors referenced the ex-partner’s testimony saying the murder led to her “running out of the apartment with no shoes and couch cushion,” which she claimed she used to protect herself from Jordan.

Prosecutors explained that, “if they wanted to lie, they would lie about everything.” They told the jury, “[the witnesses] are just telling you what they saw.”

Prosecutors then showed body cam footage from Jordan’s arrest on the night of the murder.

Jordan is seen saying, “I didn’t stab nobody,” and “he tried to hurt my girlfriend, when the knife dropped I picked it up.” Prosecutors said at that point “nobody had accused him of stabbing anyone,” and that Jordan “admits to possessing the knife.”

They finished saying, “That night in the apartment Jordan left a message,” and “it’s time for you to send a message to Jordan, we ask that you find him guilty on all charges.”

Jordan’s defense attorney, Michael Bruckheim, rebutted saying, “[the prosecutors] have failed to provide sufficient evidence to convict in this trial.”

Bruckheim centered his argument around the two witnesses who identified Jordan as the killer.

He picked apart the testimony by Jordan’s ex-partner saying the story she gave “makes no logical sense whatsoever.”

The witness said she was so scared for her safety she ran out, leaving her children in the apartment. Bruckheim said, “You don’t leave your kids behind with a killer.” He also questioned how long it took her to return to the apartment to find her children, she said she fell asleep under a car returning later in the morning.

Bruckheim disputed testimony from another witness who was present when the stabbing took place and called police ten minutes after the killing. Bruckheim claimed that during those ten minutes, “he was cleaning up the crime scene” to cover for Jordan’s ex-partner.

He said, “both of them offer these ridiculous stories.” Bruckheim argued during the scuffle the ex-partner was the one who stabbed Lynch. He argued that, contrary to the story the witnesses told, Lynch was grabbing Jordan from behind during and the ex-partner attacked him.

Bruckheim claimed that the witnesses conspired against Jordan and had ample time to hide any evidence before police arrived. He mentioned that the knife was never recovered, claiming that one of the witnesses hid or disposed of it.

When Jordan was arrested that night, he was found outside the apartment building with his ex-partners’ two young children. Bruckheim said, “If he killed someone why would he take the kids for a walk around the building?”

In their rebuttal, prosecutors argued that the ex-partner was in “fight or flight,” mode and she was “abused, assaulted and the witness to a homicide.”

According to prosecutors, “there is zero evidence that the ex-partner was the killer in this case,” that it is, “ludicrous, absurd speculation.”

Prosecutors argued that if the witness were to cover up the crime he would have actually cleaned the apartment.

When police arrived, there were still blood and paper towels on the floor. They explained the delay before police were called saying, “[The witness] can’t call 911 because the murderer is still in the apartment.”

Prosecutors closed their rebuttal saying, “Lynch died on his birthday because Jordan killed him, you decide this case.”

Deliberations are underway.

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