Shooting Video Triggers Courtroom Fight, Judge Releases Defendant Following Day

By Alishba Kamran [former] - September 16, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan called for a recess after a fight between a homicide victim’s and defendant’s family member broke out in court on Sept. 10. She found probable cause that the defendant was the perpetrator on Sept. 11.

Karim Ibrahim, 21, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Javonni Coleman. The incident occurred on Jan. 16 on the 2400 block of S Street, SE. 

According to court documents, Coleman sustained fatal injuries to his head, neck, and torso. 

The prosecution called on an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), who testified their investigation into the murder deemed Ibrahim the shooter. According to the officer, surveillance footage, witness statements, and phone records, played a significant role in the shooter’s identification. 

According to the court documents, one of the witnesses was asked if there were any issues between Coleman and other people. The witness stated in an interview with MPD that it may have been possible Coleman had problems with individuals, but they were unsure.  

He testified that Ibrahim’s clothes, “Worn on the day of the shooting was the same on videos taken 16 hours prior,” and posted on social media. Several videos from Ibrahim’s social media and Gmail accounts were recovered that showed what seemed to be guns similar to the one used during the murder, as well as the particular articles of clothing. 

Kevin Mosley, Ibrahim’s attorney, argued that the officer’s recollection was speculative, and questioned his preparation regarding his testimony. 

Mosley called into question MPD’s factual knowledge of the shooting’s timing, stating that the building’s CCTV footage did not have timestamps on the video.

The officer stated “The timestamps were matched up in accordance with the actions that happened in the video”, to which Mosley stated, “This case was being based off of everything but facts”. 

Mosley argued that Ibrahim’s mother was unable to identify the shooter as her son in the footage, and suggested that a mother would know what her child looks like and her statements should be given considerable weight. 

During the hearing, prosecutors displayed footage of the murder multiple times, which led to a confrontation between Coleman’s and Ibrahim’s families. 

US Marshals dragged Ibrahim as well as several others out of the courtroom effectively ending the proceeding. 

The next day, Judge Raffinan alerted the parties she had found probable cause for second-degree murder but ruled in favor of releasing the defendant with conditions. 

She ordered him to remain in home confinement, GPS monitoring, and imposed a stay away order from the victim’s family, residence and any additional places related to the incident. 

Among these conditions, Judge Raffinan also required he stay off of social media, obey all laws, and be cooperative with the court. 

Coleman’s family members sitting in the courtroom were visibly upset at the decision made. 

There will be a status hearing on Sept. 26.