Spurned Lover Goes on Trial For 2014 Murder

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On Oct. 31, opening statements and witness testimony were presented in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Marvin Lopez, 43, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Evelyn Arroyo on Dec. 24, 2014, on the 3900 block of 14th street, NW.

According to prosecutors, Arroyo was arriving at her job as a waitress when she was shot twice.

According to court documents, Lopez fled to El Salvador after the shooting without a passport, where he remained until he was extradited in early 2023.

The prosecution presented threatening text messages Lopez allegedly sent to Arroyo after their romantic relationship ended, including, “If you leave me, I’ll kill you”.

According to the prosecutor, after a few months, “Their relationship turned rocky, it turned volatile, and it led to some points of violence”.

According to the prosecution Arroyo found had a new romantic interest and moved out. As a result, Lopez allegedly took Arroyo’s phone and car keys. Meanwhile, Lopez continued to send threatening messages and even approached her and her new partner, allegedly saying “Oh, I see you’re happy with your new love”.

The prosecution also referenced Lopez’s Facebook page showing his profile picture was changed after the breakup with a quote that said, “I love you, but if you fail me, all of these are for you”. The quote was surrounded by bullets and two firearms.

According to the prosecution, on December 18, 2014, Lopez messaged Arroyo that she would die soon, and that he had “four bullets just for her”.

Six days later, Lopez allegedly shot Arroyo to death.

Two nearby officers reported seeing a Latino male wearing a red shirt, blue jacket, and light pants fleeing the scene. One of the officers chased the man, but did not manage to catch him.

During their opening, Lopez’s defense attorney, Justin Okezie, said every criminal defendant is innocent until proven guilty and the jury will hear “very little about the day of the shooting,” and an abundance of information about before the actual crime.

Okezie also stated that “Neither of them were perfect,” in reference to the relationship between Lopez and Arroyo, and that this is not proof of guilt.

The prosecution then called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who testified that he responded to the scene of the crime on the evening of the murder.

The detective explained that he had heard gunshots while in the area and found Arroyo lying on the ground covered in blood.

The trial is slated to continue Nov. 1.

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