Dontra Harris Archives - D.C. Witness

Homicide Defendant Sentenced After Plea Deal at Emotional Hearing

Details On July 18, family members of a homicide victim gave emotional impact statements following the defendant’s acceptance of a plea agreement. Jean Paul Kearney, 36, was sentenced to 20-years for... Read More

Defendant Pleads Guilty for Life-Long Friend’s Murder

Details Jean Kearney accepted a plea offer from prosecutors April 27 for his involvement in the killing of a father-of-four who was also his life-long friend. Kearney, 36, was charged with... Read More

Judge Grants Defense Motion For Mistrial

Details A mistrial was declared after a jury failed to reach a unanimous decision on two of seven charges in a murder case on March 27. Jean Kearney, 35, is charged... Read More

Jury Delivers Guilty Verdict on Three of Seven Counts in Murder Trial

Details Jurors returned guilty verdicts on three of seven counts in the murder trial of 36-year-old Jean Paul Kearney on March 24. Kearney allegedly murdered Dontra Harris, 33, on April 5,... Read More

Sister Hopes to Gain Justice For Brother’s Death

Details 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... Read More

Autopsy Photos Shown in Murder Trial Trigger A Mother’s Grief

Details During trial on March 20, a family member hugged a grieving mother as she shed tears for her murdered son as prosecutors showed photos of the killing. Jean-Paul Kearney, 36,... Read More

Judge Denies Defense Request to Drop Charge

Details Defense counsel’s closing argument in a murder trial centered largely on circumstantial evidence. A key piece of disputed evidence is from a cell phone. Jean-Paul Kearney, 36, is charged with... Read More

Victim’s Brother-in-Law Testifies Regarding His Last Time Seeing the Victim

Details On March 16, a victim’s brother-in-law testified about his experience on the day the murder took place. Jean Kearney, 35, is charged in connection to the murder of Dontra Harris,... Read More

Family Members of Murder Victim Testify in Trial

Details An emotional second day of trial ensued as the prosecution called witnesses close to the victim. Jean Kearney, 35, is charged in connection to the murder of Dontra Harris, 33,... Read More

Trial Begins in Shooting of Lifelong Friend

Details On March 14, a jury assigned to a murder case heard opening statements from both parties regarding the murder of a father, who was also the defendant’s lifelong friend. Jean... Read More

Judge Approves Motion Timeline in Murder Case

Details A DC Superior Court judge approved the defense attorney’s motion for a timeline in regard to filing prior to a motion hearing for a homicide case. Jean Kearney is charged... Read More

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Homicide Case

Details A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a homicide case has enough evidence to go to trial. Jean Kearney is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of... Read More