Parties Clash Over Witness Testimony in Mother and Son Murder Case

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

In a Sept. 20 motion hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective confirmed a suspect’s presence in surveillance footage.

Jaquell Jackson, 20, is charged with one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and second-degree murder while armed.

Chakeatia Jackson, 39, Jaquell’s mother, is also charged with second-degree murder while armed. Jackson is not currently detained while Jaquell has been jailed.

The charges stem from the mother and son’s alleged involvement in a shooting incident that occurred on the 1300 Block of Congress Street, SE, on Sept. 15, 2021, which resulted in the death of 37-year-old Tarquasha Chappell.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective said Jaquell was identified from social media posts, surveillance footage and a witness who named Jaquell based on knowledge of his stature, clothing and build.

Defense attorney Brian McDaniel raised concerns about the identification due to grainy surveillance footage and that when the witness was questioned, the interview was not recorded, leaving what was said known only by the MPD detective and the witness.

Due to schedule conflicts and time restrictions, the hearing was continued to Oct. 9.