‘No Doubt in My Mind,’ Says Judge as He Finds Probable Cause in a Homicide

By Maria Andrea Morales , Mia Febles - February 29, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On Feb. 27, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun found probable cause in a homicide case. 

Juan Guerra, 31, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal beating of 31-year-old Peter Miller III, which occurred on Oct. 6, 2023, on the 900 block of Maine Avenue, SW. Miller succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 11, 2023. 

According to court documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a “natural” death, but were suspicious after arriving at the scene and immediately called homicide detectives. 

Miller was located inside of the residence, which he shared with Guerra, and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Five days later, Miller was pronounced dead, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) ruled that the homicide was due to blunt force trauma. 

In the hearing, a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified about objects found in Guerra’s apartment, which allegedly were firearms, drugs, and a fake identification card with Guerra’s photo. 

The prosecution argued that Guerra, Miller and a witness began shooting dice but the game started to get rowdy because Guerra and Miller started changing the rules.

After that, a witness who was friends with both Guerra and Miller left the apartment. The witness then got a call from Guerra, saying to go back to the apartment, and that is when he saw Miller laying face down on the couch. The witness then turned Miller around and noticed that he wasn’t breathing. They immediately called 911 and began performing CPR on Miller.  

Guerra’s defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, argued that Miller was the main aggressor in this situation and therefore Guerra’s actions were in self-defense. 

The prosecution claimed that this was “an assault turned homicide.” At the time of the incident, Guerra and Miller were the only individuals in the apartment. 

The prosecution argued that Guerra showed a “conscious disregard” for Miller’s life, although he claimed that he acted out of self-defense. 

Guerra had injuries that indicated he had been in a fight, but nothing close to the injuries Miller suffered, according to the prosecution. 

Ultimately, the judge found probable cause. “No doubt in my mind that Guerra killed Miller,” said Judge Okun also stating he didn’t think he did it on purpose. 

Judge Okun took into consideration Guerra’s history, the nature of the offense, and evidence when making the decision on whether he should be released on home confinement or remain detained. 

Judge Okun ruled that Guerra remain detained.

Mosley requested that Guerra be transferred to the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) due to the fact that he has a chest injury and the jail conditions are inadequate for a full recovery. Judge Okun agreed, and recommended that he be moved to the CTF. 

Parties are slated to return on June 7 for a status hearing.