Prosecutors Insist Juvenile is Guilty of Homicide, Despite Defense Attorneys Blaming Older Brother 

By Adriana Marroquin - May 9, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During closing arguments in a juvenile homicide trial, prosecutors insisted the defendant is guilty of all charges, despite his attorneys blaming his older brother before DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell. 

The juvenile, a 16-year-old boy, is charged with first-and-second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to kill, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Jihad Darden. The incident occurred on Dec. 18, 2023, on the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW. 

On May 8, prosecutors told Judge Crowell that Darden “was a friend, son, brother, and member of the community,” adding that he was “senselessly and tragically murdered,” when he was shot four times in the back. 

According to the prosecution, while on his way to the crime scene, the defendant stopped to check his reflection on a car window to ensure his face was fully concealed. 

“This was premeditation… [the juvenile] was preparing to commit the murder,” the prosecutor insisted, adding that bringing a gun is “highly probative of premeditation.”

She deemed the crime “calm, collected and preconceived,” adding that the defendant acted in a “calculated and purposeful” manner. 

During the trial, the prosecution provided the court with multiple surveillance videos that depicted the suspect’s flightpath from the Lucky Corner Store on Illinois Avenue to the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW, where they claim he changed his clothes before ordering an Uber to Bowie, MD.

They also presented evidence of the juvenile wearing a similar hoodie to the shooter’s, which he wore to school seven days before the incident. 

“[The defendant’s] cell site data mirrors all movement by Darden’s killer, because he is the person who murdered Darden,” the prosecutor insisted. 

However, Amanda Epstein, the juvenile’s defense attorney, claimed that the prosecution and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) had failed to fully investigate the incident, shifting blame to the defendant’s older brother. 

“Nothing but common sense is needed to know that [the defendant’s brother] was the murderer,” Epstein said, explaining that Darden and the brother had a beef, and he had taken “all actions to hide behind the clothes of two 15-year-olds,” adding that the brother was also connected to the defendant’s friend. 

“[The defendant] didn’t shoot or kill Darden,” she said.

Epstein told Judge Crowell he should doubt the prosecution’s theory and evidence, arguing that MPD failed to investigate a tip, received from someone close to the defendant’s family, that provided evidence his older brother was involved. 

She also requested Judge Crowell regard the testimony of a woman, whose house the juvenile frequented, lightly, insisting her testimony was not credible as she was trying to protect her grandson. 

During her testimony, the woman told Judge Crowell her grandson and nephew had been put in handcuffs during the execution of a search warrant at her home. 

“She knew what she needed to say to make sure her grandson wasn’t arrested,” insisted Epstein. 

“When evidence gives us more questions than answers, that gives us a reason to doubt,” she told Judge Crowell. “Even the [prosecution] has reasons to doubt,” she added. 

Parties are slated to reconvene when Judge Crowell reaches a verdict.