Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.
By
Jai Bajaj [former]
- September 26, 2023
Court
|
Daily Stories
|
Homicides
|
Shooting
|
Suspects
|
Victims
|
On Sept. 26, parties gave closing arguments in a 2020 murder trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.
Ravel Mills, 29 is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the murder of 28-year-old Toussaunt Strong. The incident took place on the 3400 block of 24th Street, SE, on April 18, 2020.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Ravel Mills hunted down and murdered Toussaunt Strong,” said the prosecutor.
A witness, who was a neighbor of Strong’s father and a friend of Mills, said that Mills had mentioned a beef with a man next door who had dreadlocks. The prosecution insists that was Strong, stating he had dreadlocks before he was murdered.
Prosecutors showed an exchange caught on video in which Mills appears to point an object at Strong outside of the witness’ house. Both parties agree this is the way someone would hold a gun; however Mills claims it was a scale, used for drug transactions, which he pretended was a gun as a joke.
This interaction led to a chase caught on surveillance where Mills appears to be following Strong through an alley and up 24th Street. However, the video does not reach the area where the prosecution claims Mills killed Strong. Mills is caught on video leaving the area where Strong’s body was found shortly after.
Mills claims he witnessed a PCP dealer come down from the other direction and shoot Strong.
The prosecutor said, “When you think about [Mills’] story it makes absolutely no sense.”
According to prosecutors, Mills has long been aware of the evidence in the case and came up with a cover story to match it.
”[Mills] would have to be the most unlucky man in the world,” to believe his story said prosecutors.
According to Mills’ defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, “The government has not provided any credible evidence.” Mosley cited the fact that there is no DNA evidence, eyewitnesses or connection between Mills and the murder weapon.
The defense claims the murder was not properly investigated by police and prosecutors.
Mosley also argued there is no video evidence of the murder and the area up the street where Mills says the PCP dealer emerged.
Mosley ended his statement saying, “If it’s possible what we said happened, that is a reason to doubt,” adding, “The government’s case is built on speculation.”
The prosecutor said the jury “needs to hold [Mills] accountable.”
The jury will begin its deliberations Sept. 27.