Probable Cause Found in Love Triangle Fatal Shooting

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DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park determined probable cause in the fatal shooting of an ex-lover’s new boyfriend on April 8.

Maurice Ford, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Terell West, 32, that occurred on Jan. 16 at the unit block of Ridge Square, NW.

The lead detective testified that a 911 call was placed by an employee of the apartment building where the shooting occurred notifying the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of an incident.

According to the detective, West was the new boyfriend of Ford’s ex-girlfriend, with whom Ford shared a child. On the night of the incident, Ford allegedly banged on her apartment door, attempting to get inside.

Ford allegedly used a screwdriver to punch through the locked bedroom doorway, then allegedly shot West three times, and assaulted his ex-girlfriend with a firearm, according to the detective.

The detective stated that although the ex-girlfriend didn’t call 911 to report the incident, she sent several text messages to her mother asking for help. According to the detective, the texts said that Ford was attempting to break into the bedroom and was afraid of what would happen to her and West if he succeeded.

Surveillance from the scene showed a man, whom the prosecution claims to be Ford, arriving at the building and entering the building holding a phone, which might have sed in place of a key fob. The ex-girlfriend told the detective that she had taken Ford’s fob and let him believe he lost it.

Ford’s attorney, Kevin O’Sullivan, doubted the ex-girlfriend’s story since she was the only eyewitness placing Ford at the scene. According to O’Sullivan, there were three children in the apartment, one of whom the ex-girlfriend claimed saw Ford beating her before getting pushed away. However, when the children were interviewed, none said they saw Ford that day.

The detective reported that although several men’s clothing items were recovered, she could not confirm if they belonged to Ford. However, the detective testified Ford’s ex-girlfriend claimed it was only West’s first time at the apartment so it wasn’t likely the items were this.

During the redirect, the prosecution asked the detective if there was any other evidence linking Ford to the scene. She confirmed that cell-site data showed Ford’s phone being in the general area of the crime when it happened.

In response, O’Sullivan insisted that probable cause could not be found, arguing that only one witness placed Ford at the scene despite many knowing Ford.

Judge Park ruled that although a trial might exonerate Ford, identification of by his ex-girlfriend and the additional text data were enough to find probable cause.

Parties are slated to reconvene on June 13.