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Ivanna Ceballos
- October 18, 2024
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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A jury convicted a murder defendant of all charges following a multi-week trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Oct. 10.
Dennis Chase, 32, was convicted of second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence. The charges stemmed from his involvement in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Anthony Orr on Dec. 7, 2020, in the 400 block of Xenia Street SE.
During the trial, the prosecution argued that Chase shot Orr in the head during a drug-fueled encounter in a parked car, dismissing Chase’s self-defense claim. The defense, led by attorney Megan Allburn, contended that Orr had threatened Chase’s life and that Chase acted out of self-preservation.
The jury, which began deliberations on Oct. 9, returned with guilty verdicts on all counts.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2025.