Judge Denies Release Request in Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe rejected a shooting defendant’s request for release on Sept. 17.

Malik Stone, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a shooting at the 2100 block of R Street, SE on July 30.

Stone’s defense attorney, Henry Druschel filed a motion for a bond review, and argued in court that the judge for Stone’s preliminary hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel, unreasonably detained him.

Druschel claimed that Judge Israel held Stone without knowing where he would be released and that Stone would be released to a different location than the scene of the crime.

He also argued that this case could be argued as self-defense, as the surveillance footage shown at the preliminary hearing did not show who, either Stone or the victim, shot first.

Judge Pipe informed Druschel that it was not her role to determine probable cause versus self-defense, as she hadn’t reviewed the evidence.

The prosecution argued that, whether the case could be explained as self-defense, Stone is not allowed to own a firearm due to a prior conviction even though he successfully completed probation.

Judge Pipe denied the motion for release and informed Druschel to take the matter of probable cause to Judge Israel if he believed the ruling was incorrect.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 8.

Judge Denies Release in Wheelchair Stabbing Case

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe denied a request to release a stabbing defendant on Sept. 18.

Dennis Doleman, 49, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing at the 300 block of H Street, NE on Aug. 7.

Todd Baldwin, Doleman’s attorney, argued for Doleman’s release, stating that the crimes on his record were mostly non-violent and were several years old. He argued that Doleman was eligible for probation.

The prosecution argued that the nature of the crime was far too concerning to permit release, as the victim was allegedly pushed out of a wheelchair and stabbed several times.

Judge Pipe denied the request to release Doleman, and he is to remain held until the next hearing.

Baldwin alerted the court they are in plea negotiations.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 3.

Judge Continues Release For Stabbing Suspect

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro ruled that a stabbing defendant’s release status would not be revoked on Sept. 15.

William Chambers, 41, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on July 22 on the 700 block of Langston Terrace, NE.

According to court documents, Chambers and the victim were neighbors who had an ongoing dispute. In addition, court documents claimed the victim acted as the initial aggressor who punched Chambers and knocked him to the ground before Chambers allegedly entered his home to retrieve a butcher knife to stab the victim in the leg.

As a part of his release, Chambers had a “stay-away” zone that he was not allowed to enter without prior authorization.

Chambers is alleged to have entered the stay-away zone without having permission. However, the two parties disagreed on whether he had a police escort, with Chambers saying he did have one, while the prosecution said he did not.

The prosecution argued this would be grounds to revoke his release privileges, However, Judge Di Toro, after admonishing Chambers, ruled he would remain on release.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct 3.

Eyewitness Describes One in a Series of Four Shootings

An eyewitness described one in a series of shootings in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Sept. 15.

Reginald Steele, 26, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder, 10 counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, 11 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, four counts of carrying a pistol without a license, five counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, and two counts of tampering with physical evidence.

These charges stem from Steele’s alleged involvement in four separate shootings including the murder of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes and injury of another juvenile on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW. Steele’s accused of a separate shooting the same day with no reported injuries on the unit block of Channing Street, NE.

The other incidents Steele is accused of include a non-fatal shooting that injured two individuals on Feb. 22, 2020 on the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW, and a non-fatal shooting that injured three on Feb. 24, 2020 on the 1700 block of 9th Street, NW.

The prosecution called an eyewitness to the shooting that occurred on Channing Street, NE who testified he was standing at the entrance of the Channing Street alley when the shooting took place, and took cover inside a corner store across the street.

This witness first testified in 2022 as part of Steele’s grand jury investigation, and grew up about a mile from where the Channing Street shooting occurred, but said he still frequents the area.

The witness testified that minutes leading up to the shooting, he was standing on the corner of Channing and North Capitol Street, where he saw a silver Kia Soul with dark tinted windows moving very slowly, and pulling into the Channing Street alleyway.

At this point, the witness testified, he saw two individuals, one man wearing a black sweater, the other wearing glasses and a green sweater, with guns drawn. He said that he ran and took cover in between two cars before running into a corner store across the street.

After gunfire stopped, the witness said, he saw the Kia Soul travel down North Capitol Street with the front and back passenger windows rolled down. The individual with the glasses and green sweater was sitting on the back passenger side, yelling profanities out of the window, according to the witness.

Prosecutors presented surveillance footage and body-worn camera footage of the witness walking away from the scene and interacting with responding officers. The witness said he was not shot, and elected not to call 911 or give the police any information at the time.

He said his only connection to the area is that’s where his cousin lives.

“I will go down there, but I’m not a part of what they got going on,” he said. “My neighborhood is just a regular old neighborhood.”

The trial is set to continue on Sept. 16.

‘I Don’t Remember None of This,’ Reticent Witness Says in Mass Shooting Trial

Prosecutors struggled to elicit testimony from a reluctant witness before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson in a mass shooting trial on Sept. 16.

Ronell Offutt, 36, is charged with five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and aggravated assault while armed. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting at the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on Feb. 4, 2019, that injured five people, including a five-year-old girl.

During the hearing, prosecutors called one of the victims from the incident, who received medical treatment on his porch for gunshot wounds on his arm and buttocks.

The witness was reluctant to testify and, when asked if he wanted to be there, told the court that he did not and that he “would like to answer no questions.”

The prosecution produced images of the victim’s gunshot wounds on his porch before treatment, videos of him in the hospital being treated for his injuries, and videos of him telling police that he had been shot while returning home.

In court, he denied recognizing all of the images and videos brought forth, telling the jury, “I don’t remember none of this.” When asked why he was at the hospital, he told the court: “I don’t know why I was there.”

In response to the prosecution’s introducing the police interviews, he said the police “coached” him on what to say at the time.

When questioned by defense dttorney, Donna Beasley, he told the court he didn’t know who shot him, was never shown a suspect image, and had no idea who the defendant was.

“I don’t know him from a wet can of paint,” the victim said.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective told the court that she responded to gunshot reports and found the wounded victim sitting on his porch. She testified to body camera footage that showed the victim’s wounds, on-site medical treatment, and footage of him at the hospital receiving treatment. She also told the court that the police did not pressure or feed information to the victim at any time during questioning.

The grandmother of the five-year-old victim was called to testify. She she said she and her granddaughter were waiting at a bus stop along Pennsylvania Avenue, SE when she heard gunshots. Her granddaughter approached her with a torn coat, which the witness told the court was when she realized her granddaughter had been shot in the arm. The granddaughter was hospitalized and has since recovered.

When asked about the shooter, the witness told the court that she did not see the shooter, and was never shown a picture of the suspect.

An agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) testified that Offutt’s phone’s GPS pinned him in the general vicinity of the incident location at the time of the shooting.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 17.

______________________________________________________

Aiden Mellon & Alicia Gaines

August Homicides See a Significant Decrease From July

According to D.C. Witness data, in August, there were five reported homicide incidents and seven reported homicide victims, a 38 percent decrease from July’s homicide incidents.

As of Sept. 11, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has not identified any suspects.

According to MPD documents, one incident was a triple shooting in Southeast DC that left 29-year-old Devonta Bazemore dead. On Aug. 5, MPD officers located an adult male at the 1800 block of U Street, SE, unconscious and not breathing, suffering apparent gunshot wound injuries. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene but despite all lifesaving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead.

An adult male and an adult female were also located on scene suffering gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported, conscious and breathing to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

On Aug. 11, a shooting occurred near the Washington Convention Center, which claimed the life of 33-year-old Tymark Wells. Upon arrival at the 1200 block of 12th Street, NW, MPD officers located an adult male, unconscious and not breathing, suffering gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital and after finding no signs consistent with life Wells was pronounced dead.

A shooting in the Brookland neighborood at the 3300 block of 15th Street, NE, occurred on Aug. 13. MPD officers located an adult female, unconscious but breathing, suffering gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, and after all lifesaving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead. The victim was identified as 36-year-old Mignon Massey.

A suspect was captured by surveillance images in a fatal shooting that occurred in NW. On Aug. 3, MPD officers responded to the 400 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW, for the report of a shooting. Officers located an adult male, unconscious and not breathing, suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, he was pronounced dead. The victim was identified as 27-year-old Akim Toure, of Riverdale, MD.

Two suspects were captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen on video exiting a DC Metro bus, believed to be connected to a shooting that took place in Southeast on Aug. 26. MPD officers responded to the 300 block of Anacostia Road, SE, where they located an adult male, unconscious and breathing, suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to an area hospital, he was pronounced dead. The victim was identified as 31-year-old Franck Foute Mohdjiom.

MPD is currently offering a reward for information on the unsolved cases.

August 2025 Homicides in Washington, D.C. (Symbol map)

Stabbing Defendant Rejects Plea Offer Wants Second Lawyer

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz addressed a stabbing defendant’s rejection of a plea offer and her demand for second attorney in a hearing on Sept. 11.

Daniyah Dailey, 26, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, two counts of malicious disfigurement while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and aggravated assault knowingly while armed. These charges come from her alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on November 27, 2021, on the 2000 block of 15th Place NE.

Dailey rejected the plea offer, which required her to plead guilty to aggravated assault and assault with a deadly weapon. This decision followed a lengthy conversation with Judge Kravitz under seal. He reiterated her concerns on the court record.

During their discussion, Dailey requested a second lawyer to ensure she has adequate legal representation. Judge Kravitz approved the motion and ordered a second defense attorney visit her in jail to ensure they would work well together before the next status hearing.

Prosecutors previously filed a motion on Feb. 28 to dismiss all charges against Tejan Bah, 34, in connection to this incident since he died on Feb. 6.

Parties are slated to reconvene for a status hearing on Oct. 17.

Opening Arguments in Family Quarrel Shooting Trial

A trial involving a shooting among family members got underway before DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on Sept. 16.

Larry Carr, 21, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of an unregistered firearm in connection to a non-fatal shooting that took place on the 100 block of Ridge Rd. SE on Oct. 22, 2023.

According to court documents, the shooting stemmed from a verbal dispute among family members, and Carr allegedly shot his cousin.

The prosecution opened their case by painting a picture of the defendant as an angry, impulsive man. They stated that Carr saw the victim, his cousin, enter the house where he was sleeping and immediately flew into a rage, an argument ensued, and Carr shot the victim despite not being in any physical danger and having no legal justification.

The prosecution stated that the animosity between the two came from the victim’s exposing himself to Carr’s young sister, which caused other family members to kick the cousin out of their house. The victim had also allegedly assaulted a mentally disabled boy on a bus months before.

Carr’s defense, led by attorney Teresa Kleiman, claimed Carr was in fear for his life because of both the actions of the victim and their prior history. She explained that Carr was only 19 years old at the time of the incident, was a high school graduate, and was employed at a movie theater.

Kleiman stated that the victim was carrying a knife and entered a house without authorization.. Carr had been sleeping on the couch when he was startled and woke up, according to Kleiman. Upon seeing the victim holding a weapon and with knowledge of his history of violence against children, Carr grabbed a gun and an argument ensued.

The defense emphasized that during the exchange, family members were restraining each of them and Carr put the gun away in his waistband. The victim allegedly continued to approach and stated “one of us is not leaving here alive”. According to Kleiman, Carr then took the gun back out and fired once, striking the victim in the cheek.

Trial is set to reconvene on Sept. 17.

Defendant Denied Release in Robbery, Carjacking

DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover denied a carjacking defendant’s release due to prior firearm-related convictions on Sept. 16.

D’Eric Brown, 24, is charged with robbery while armed, carjacking, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and possession of a firearm during the crime of violence for his alleged robbery and carjacking of the victim’s car keys in 100 block of Q Street, NE on Sept 5. Brown was allegedly attacked by a crew of five workers in his apartment garage and retaliated using a gun to steal a vehicle.

The defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Sara Kopecki, Brown’s defense attorney, also motioned for Brown’s release on home confinement. Kopecki argued that Brown was the first victim in this event, as video footage depicts the initial attack that made the defendant lose consciousness. Furthermore, a search did not reveal the presence of a firearm in his residence.

The prosecution, however, argued for Brown’s continued detention because of his response to the initial attack against the victim. Given the evidence, having multiple eyewitnesses, and previous weapons charges, the prosecution claimed that the defendant’s release would jeopardize community safety and his house arrest would not be appropriate.

“This is a case that stood out to me,” Judge Glover shared upon hearing arguments from the defense and prosecution. Citing compelling evidence from the incidents and Brown’s prior conviction and firearm-related history, the court did not believe any conditions would justify Brown’s release.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 6.

Carjacking Defendant Accepts Plea Agreement, Sentence Suspended

A carjacking defendant accepted a plea deal dand a suspended sentence before DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on Sept. 15.

Charnell Whitfield, 20, was originally charged with carjacking, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and possession of a firearm during crime of violence for his involvement in an incident that occurred on May 24 on the 400 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

Whitfield’s attorney, Bryan Bookhard, alerted the court of his intent to accept the deal, which required Whitfield to plead guilty to assault with intent to commit robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm in relation to a felony case and unlawful possession of ammunition in a misdemeanor case.

Through the deal, parties agreed to request a suspended sentence with a probationary period.

A Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) study has been ordered before Whitfield’s sentencing—if he is sentenced under the YRA, his conviction will be sealed if he successfully completes all sentencing requirements.

The parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 21.

Stabbing Defendant Curses in Court, Waives Right to Preliminary Hearing

A stabbing defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Aug. 29 before DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover.

Ali Jackson, 33, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing of an inmate at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE on July 16.

According to court documents, an officer claimed to see Jackson with two shanks. The victim sustained multiple stab wounds.

Jesse Winograd, Jackson’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to waive the preliminary hearing. The court could not formulate release conditions that would ensure the safety of the community, so Jackson remains detained.

“F*** yo mama,” Jackson said as a US Marshal escorted him out of the courtroom.

Winograd requested a continuance to meet with Jackson to discuss his options.

Judge Glover agreed on Aug. 29 and scheduled the next hearing for Sept. 2.

Three Defendants Reject Plea Deal Before Weapons Case is Dismissed

A weapon possessions case was dismissed on Sept. 10 after all three defendants rejected a plea and DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean found the prosecution had violated their rights to due process.

James Matheny, 31, Jewan Mathis, 29, and Rashid Woods, 30, were all charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol outside the home or business in connection to a non-fatal shooting incident and subsequent apartment raid that took place on the 2100 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE on Sept. 3, 2024.

Mathis was also indicted on possession of a prohibited weapon. Matheny was also indicted on assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and obstruction of justice. Woods was indicted on additional charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a rifle or shotgun, and simple assault.

On Sept. 9, the prosecution alerted the court they had extended plea offers to the defendants, which they would reject. The court was informed that the defense had already sent counter offers, which had been rejected by the prosecution.

Woods was asked to plead guilty in multiple cases to assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, carjacking, and use of an imitation firearm in exchange for the prosecution dismissing all other charges in two cases.

Matheny would be required to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to commit carjacking in exchange for the prosecution dismissing all other charges in two cases.

Mathis would be required to plead guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm, and after a brief indulgence the defense informed the court that he was seriously considering taking it. However, they had only been informed of the rejection of their counter offer that morning and thus said they needed more time to consider the deal.

Judge McLean agreed and dismissed the case based on the prosecution’s apparent failure to provide potentially excupatory evidence to the defense as well as a violation of Fourth Amendment protections against illegal search and seizure at one of the defendant’s apartments on Sept. 3, 2024.

The court sanctioned the prosecution with eight violations in all but didn’t rule out the possibility the case could be reopened.

The prosecution has thirty days to file a motion to reconsider.

No further dates have been set.

Victim’s Close Friend Testifies as Homicide Trial Enters Third Week

A homicide victim’s childhood friend was called to testify in an ongoing trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Sept. 8.

Reginald Steele, 26, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder, ten counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, 11 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, four counts of carrying a pistol without a license, five counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, and two counts of tampering with physical evidence.

A life-long friend of Lukes who was at the shooting was called to testify by the prosecution.

According to the witness, he, Lukes, and two friends left a store called UBreakIFix with a basketball before walking north to an alleyway. The witness stated that when they got to the alley he heard gunshots and started running with his friend, but heard Lukes say he was shot before lying down.

The witness and his friends stayed with Lukes after he was hit but fled when they heard the police arrive. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers handcuffed the witness and his friends and brought them in for questioning.

The questioning turned to a text conversation between the witness and an internet comedian in regards to a post the witness made on Instagram, in which a person is holding a sweater with the words “9th Street Compound” printed on it– a reference to a known “crew” or criminal gang in Lukes’ neighborhood.

The witness stated that he was not familiar with any beef between the 9th street neighborhood and the 3500 crew –of which prosecutors claim the defendant and his co-conspirators are members– but was directed back to his grand jury testimony claiming there was a beef between the two communities. In the messages, the comedian told the witness to delete his post, citing he was insulting the comedian’s cousin.

“Cause my cousin just died and he call himself NW Goon and you post this,” the comedian told the witness, insinuating that the witness was celebrating his cousin’s murder.

The prosecution then added two music videos into evidence of a rapper from the witness’ neighborhood in which both the witness and Lukes can be seen in the background. The witness confirmed the location of both videos, which were filmed on 9th Street in the Shaw area.

Megan Allburn, Steele’s attorney, confirmed that it was possible for another person to use someone’s Instagram, and that even though the messages in evidence were under the usernames of an individual and the witness, that did not necessarily mean it was them that wrote those texts.

Further, it was very common for rap music videos to be filmed all around DC, and that it was especially common for locals to participate. Allburn inquired about the day of the incident again, with the witness claiming that he did not identify the shooter, driver of the vehicle, or the number of gunshots – but that he heard the sounds of an opening door and gunshots.

An assisting homicide detective interviewed two other of Lukes’ friends while another detective interviewed the earlier witness.

During a debriefing on the night of the incident, video evidence was pulled from a private camera that caught a silver SUV fleeing the crime scene at high speed. The video also captured the vehicle traveling north on 7th Street NW and east on S Street NW until it reached the alley where Lukes and friends were walking.

A medical examiner from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) testified she conducted Lukes’ autopsy, deeming the manner of death a homicide and the cause of death as a gunshot wound.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 9.

Judge Describes Repeat Offender As A ‘Hardworking Guy,’ Extends His Curfew

A carjacking defendant pleaded not guilty and was granted less restrictive release conditions during an arraignment on Sept. 5 before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld.

Dale Benjamin, 38, is charged with armed carjacking, robbery while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an incident on Sept. 15, 2024 at a BP gas station on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE.

According to court documents, Benjamin allegedly threatened the victim with a handgun and seized his moped.

At the arraignment, Antoini Jones, Benjamin’s attorney, informed Judge Hertzfeld that Benjamin pleaded not guilty to all charges and asserted his rights to a speedy trial.

Jones also requested the court eliminate Benjamin’s GPS monitoring and extend his curfew to accommodate his employment schedule.

The prosecution argued to keep the GPS release condition and detain Benjamin in order to protect the community, adding that he has prior convictions, one involving a firearm. He also noted that the evidence backing his current charges is “substantial ”

“He’s jumped back in the deep end,” given these charges, the prosecutor stated.

The prosecution said that Benjamin is fairly unrestricted because he is currently on release, while most defendants with the same charges are detained.

Judge Hertzfeld maintained that a GPS requirement is one of the least restrictive conditions and decided to not amend it.

“It looks like you’re a hardworking guy from this,” Judge Hertzfeld noted as she read documentation that detailed Benjamin’s work hours.

Benjamin said, “I don’t mind going on GPS,” and stressed his request to adjust his curfew.

Judge Hertzfeld granted the request and said she thinks the amended curfew would be fair because he will be contributing to society by going to work.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene Sept. 29.

Prosecution Says Mass Shooting Suspect Turned a ‘Bus Stop Into a Bloodbath’

Attorneys delivered opening statements in a mass shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on Sept. 15.

Ronnell Offutt, 36, is charged with five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed committed against a minor, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense, and aggravated assault while armed. The charges are in connection to his alleged involvement in a mass shooting at a bus stop on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on Feb. 4, 2019 that injured five people, including a five-year-old.

During opening statements, the prosecution asked the jury to imagine Offutt firing eight shots into a bus stop at 30th Street and Pennsylvania and striking five victims, including a five-year-old girl.

“The defendant turned that bus stop into a bloodbath,” the prosecution said.

Prosecutors claimed Offutt committed the shooting after he was allegedly robbed a few hours earlier. According to the prosecution, an officer stopped Offutt to ensure he was okay, and will testify she took a picture of Offutt because she was concerned.

The prosecution claimed that Offutt refused help from the officer, and decided to take matters into his own hands.

“He made sure in no uncertain terms that she knew he was looking for no help from the police,” prosecutors said.

The prosecution said that they recovered hats from the defendant’s car that resembled a distinctive baseball cap worn by the shooter. They also allegedly obtained the gun used in the shooting as well as cache of video, and physical, evidence that would prove to the jury the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Donna Beasley, Offutt’s defense attorney, focused on what the prosecution did not have. Beasley noted that there is no witness that can specifically identify Offutt as the shooter in the case and that the story presented by the prosecution is just one interpretation of the facts.

“There’s a lot of stuff the [prosecution] has left out of their version of events,” Beasley said.

Beasley continued the defense’s opening statement by reminding the jury that the prosecution would have to prove every claim they made beyond a reasonable doubt.

“All I’m asking you at this juncture is to be neutral,” Beasley said.

Immediately after opening statements, the prosecution brought a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer to the stand who responded to the scene of the shooting and located the injured child. The officer testified to interviewing the victim’s grandmother and noted during cross examination that he had no information about a suspect when he arrived on scene.

The prosecution also called an MPD commander to testify about an incident at the intersection of Nicholson Street and Minnesota Avenue, SE hours before the shooting.

The officer testified making a stop there after witnessing a shouting match between a man, who prosecutors claim was Offutt, and a woman with several children on the sidewalk. Prior to engaging the group, the officer took a picture of the scene, depicting the man who prosecutors claim was Offutt standing in the street next to a silver sedan with a damaged rear window. Prosecutors claimed the silver car was the same one that Offutt had when he was allegedly jumped before the shooting.

The officer testified to asking whether they required any assistance to which the man replied, “f***k 12,” slang for “f***k the police. After which the argument dissolved and the participants departed.

Parties are set to reconvene Sept. 16.

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