Stabbing Defendant Testifies After Being Denied Acquittal

By Adrianna Bhan [former] , Emily Reed [former] - June 11, 2024
Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

After DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro denied his motion for acquittal in a June 10 hearing, the defendant in a prison stabbing testified he feared for his life.

Antoine Donvell Johnson, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury, and unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Jan. 15.

According to the prosecution, video surveillance footage from different perspectives in the DC Jail shows an individual, identified as Johnson, in a physical fight with the victim. Officers responded with pepper spray to calm the situation. However, the victim was found with stab wounds throughout his body, and was taken to the jail infirmary.

Matthew Rist, Johnson’s defense attorney, motioned for acquittal of all charges.

Rist argued the video evidence provided by the prosecution showed that Johnson did not possess a weapon nor was he the aggressor. Judge Di Toro denied the motion, stating that a jury could reasonably conclude the prosecution had met its burden of proof.

After the motionl was denied, Rist called Johnson to testify.

According to Johnson, he was in the TV room at the jail when the victim and three other individuals confronted him. Johnson stated he was “frightened” by their presence and felt that “something was about to transpire.”

Johnson said the victim began arguing with him, stating, “The men around you are saying you’re dropping notes on me.” Johnson then stated that the victim told him “you got to roll or yeah,” which Johnson understood as a threat that if he didn’t leave the area something would happen to him. 

Meanwhile, the victim stated Johnson had been leaving anonymous notes stating that if the victim was not removed from the housing block, he would be killed.

Johnson said he was acting in self-defense, despite admitting to throwing the first punch, as seen in surveillance footage. 

“I punched myself out of what I thought was going to be a four-on-one,” Johnson insisted. 

Rist referred to the video footage again pointing out another individual near the fight who took an object out of his pocket that could have been the white handle of the knife the prosecution presented as evidence on June 6.

Johnson identified that individual as the one handing the victim the knife. Johnson stated that the victim was a lot stronger than he and was afraid if he did not get the knife that he “could end up dead.” He then testified that his arm was cut trying to grab the knife.

Johnson said being labeled as a “snitch” posed a threat to his safety. When asked if he still felt threatened by the victim, Johnson started shaking, “To even be testifying, I am in fear.”

During cross examination, Johnson denied ever writing or seeing a note about the victim, testifying that he “was not a snitch.”

“You did great, I know that was not easy for you,” said Rist to Johnson as he stepped down from the witness stand. 

Following Johnson’s testimony, the defense rested their case. 

Parties are slated to return June 11 for closing arguments.