Severance Denied For Duo in Gang-Related Homicides

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Counsel  was not able to sever two suspects from a five defendant homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on April 11. According to a 2024 release from the prosecution, the five defendants are alleged to be members of a crew called the “Get Back Gang.”

Ronald Henderson, 19, and Daveon Robinson, 17, are two of five defendants facing multiple charges in connection with three fatal shootings in Southeast D.C. They are charged with 14 counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, 19 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, six counts of carrying a pistol without a license, and five counts of conspiracy.

Along with co-defendants Dionzai Parker, 21, Demarco Robinson, 20, and Derricko Johnson, 20,  they are also charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder while armed in the deaths of 32-year-old Clayton Marshall on April 12, 2022, 16-year-old Justin Johnson on May 26, 2022, and 37-year-old Brice Djembissi on February 25, 2023. All three shootings occurred on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE.

During the hearing, Judge Ryan said he did not find a basis for severance, saying that both the defendants have been linked to the three murders through their alleged involvement in “The Get Back Gang”, which is a smaller group part of the “The Z Gang.”

Henderson’s defense attorney, Nathaniel Mensah, argued that some of the counts involving the weapons had nothing to do with Henderson or the murders he’s alleged to have committed.

Robinson’s attorney, Elizabeth Weller, joined Mensah, saying in trial, the jury will fail to separate Robinson from the other defendants. 

Judge Ryan stated that the grand jury indicted all five defendants on conspiracy and ultimately denied the defense’s motion to sever Henderson and Robinson. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 18.