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By
LaTrina Antoine
- December 12, 2024
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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Counsel argued Dec. 12 whether defendants charged in a murder case should be tried together.
Nyjell Outler, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with a dangerous weapon, for allegedly shooting 21-year-old Demetris Johnson on March 20, 2021, on the unit block of Madison Street NE. Another individual was also injured.
Outler’s co-defendant, Keevsayah Polite, is charged with four counts of accessory after the fact while armed and obstructing justice while armed for her alleged role in harboring the defendant while he was wanted for the murder. Polite is currently released on her own personal recognizance.
According to court documents, Polite and Outler, who were a couple at the time, went to a gender-reveal party for Polite’s cousin. At the party, Outlet allegedly pulled out an AK-47 from his backpack and began shooting at three individuals standing in the drive-way outside the home where the party was being held.
Outler is scheduled for trial on March 3, 2025, however Polite’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, disputed joining the cases because Polite was apprehended and indicted two years after Outler’s arrest.
Harden also said that she was not being given sufficient time to prepare considering the severity of the incident. . Harden said she would not be available to try a felony 1 case until 2026.
According to DC Court records,, in August the prosecution agreed to sever the cases; however, in October the case was continued to give defense counsel time to file a motion to sever the cases.
Outler’s defense counsel, Gemma Stevens and Thomas Key, said they didn’t want to reschedule Outler’s trial date because he has been in jail for an extended time.
Even though DC Superior Court Judge Micael O’Keefe began Thursday’s hearing saying he had not received any motions to sever, he did agree to set a status hearing on Jan. 10, 2025, giving counsel more time to review the evidence and file any necessary motions, including a motion to sever the cases.
An additional July 14, 2026 trial date was also set depending on the result of the January hearing.