Second Suspect Arrested After 33-year-old is Beaten to Death

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Two weeks after a judge ruled that the case against a man accused of murdering his cousin, 33-year-old Andre Robertson, has enough evidence to go to trial, the Metropolitan Police Department announced another arrest has been made in connection with Robertson’s death.

Officers found Andre Robertson unconscious near a street corner in Clay Terrace after they were alerted to a suspected assault close to midnight on Oct. 1, 2021, according to police. The victim succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 2 and his case of death was deemed to be blunt force trauma. His autopsy found multiple injuries including a subdural hemorrhage.

Video footage captured moments from the deadly encounter near the corner of Clay Terrace, NE, and 53rd Street, NE. Court documents describe the course of events as “fast moving,” and the detective stated he did his best to describe them as accurately as possible in the affidavit for Darius Robertson, Andre Roberson’s cousin and the first person arrested in connection with the homicide.

According to court documents, Andre Robertson “walks strongly” towards 28-year-old Darius Robertson from behind. 

“When the decedent is close to Robertson, Robertson turns and punches the decedent,” the affidavit states. “The decedent either right before or in response appears to raise his left elbow (and/or possibly hit Darius Robertson). A physical fight between Robertson and the decedent follows during which they fell to the ground.” 

Three other individuals respond to the altercation. One pulls Andre Robertson away from Darius Robertson. Another drags Darius Robertson away. 

After one of the individuals appears to pull out a gun, a man identified as Antonio Hensley allegedly attacks Andre Robertson. Hensley, 29, was arrested in connection with Andre Robertson’s death on Feb. 23.

Hensley’s arrest comes a little more than two months after Darius Robertson’s. Both suspects face a second-degree murder charge.

During Darius Robertson’s preliminary hearing on Feb. 18, defense attorney Michael Madden argued that his client was provoked during his interactions with the victim and other witnesses, D.C. Witness previously reported. He pointed to a part of the video that shows him being pushed up against a fence while trying to leave. Instead of fighting back, the defendant apparently attempts to get away from the group at one point. 

Darius Robertson’s next hearing is scheduled for June 3. Hensley has not yet been arraigned.

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