Sister Hopes to Gain Justice For Brother’s Death

By Mariam Kamate [former] - March 23, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

In closing arguments at Jean-Paul Kearney’s murder trial on March 22, the prosecution said an argument between two longtime friends turned deadly.

Jean-Paul Kearney, 36, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 33-year-old Dontra Harris on April 4, 2021, on the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE. 

“I hope he [Kearney] gets life in prison, my brother and Kearney used to be so close I used to call him my uncle,” Harris’ sister told D.C. Witness. 

Prosecutors say Harris was stalked and killed in an ambush by Kearney with a semi-automatic handgun. 

A witness said he saw an individual with a handgun dressed in black, walk across a tree-lined street and open the door of a  grey-colored SUV.

Prosecutors also showed security camera footage of a similar vehicle driving out of a parking lot with the lights turned off, alleging that Kearney used his mother’s grey Chevy Equinox in committing the homicide. 

Other prosecution evidence shows two people arguing on the night of the incident and Harris’ black Jaguar allegedly being stalked by Kearney on a motorcycle. 

The jury bean deliberations on March 22.