The parties disputed whether the defendant or victims fired the first shots in a triple-homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on May 21.
Jalonte Thompkins, 34, is charged with conspiracy while armed, three counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence with a prior conviction greater than a year. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a shooting that killed three brothers, 34-year-old James Morgan, 30-year-old Jamal Morgan, and 42-year-old Vincent Martin, on Aug. 5, 2023 on the 2500 block of Ontario Road, NW.
Renza Bryant, 30, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the same incident. DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun found there was no probable cause for the charge against Bryant and dismissed his case on Jan. 16, 2024.
In opening statements for Thompkins’ trial, prosecutors argued he “chose to pursue his own version of justice” that constituted murder. At Unity Park, on the 1700 block of Columbia Road, NW, in the Adams Morgan neighborhood, Thompkins, Bryant, and the three victims had a confrontation. The three brothers walked southeast, Bryant northeast, and Thompkins followed the brothers southeast, said prosecutors.
A shoot out ensued that left James, Jamal, and Martin dead. “This case isn’t about good guys and bad guys, it’s about decisions,” said prosecutors, and emphasized Thompkins decision to walk the same direction as the brothers after their initial confrontation. Thompkins decided to walk that direction and 37 seconds later, the shooting occurred, leaving 52 shell casings.
The prosecution acknowledged there was no video footage of the shooting itself, only the confrontation beforehand, but said the evidence from the scene would prove Thompkin’s guilt. A firearms analyst expert will testify that the markings on the casings reflect five guns were present. Although, a stand-alone casing could be from a gun unconnected to the incident, said the prosecution.
According to the prosecutors, two of the firearms were linked through DNA to James and Martin. Thompkins DNA was associated with three .45 caliber casings that likelymatched the bullets found in Jamal. The prosecutor said .40 caliber bullets were found in James and Martin. According to court documents, prosecutors previously alleged Bryant fired the .40 caliber firearm.
The case will likely not be a “whodunnit,” said the prosecution because eyewitness accounts, cell site data, and surveillance footage from nearby allegedly place Thompkins at the scene. The prosecution concluded, “you cannot take the law into your own hands,” as they assert Thompkins did.
Thompkins’ attorney, Brandi Harden, asserted “this case is not about murder, it’s about survival.” For Thompkins, Harden said, it was “live or die,” and with less than a second to decide he acted in self-defense.
In the park, Harden said Thompkins was “confronted with three armed men…who were ready to kill.” Harden asserted that Thompkins went in the same direction as the victims not to follow them, but to retrieve his parked car. Thompkins’ license plate started with “JD,” and Harden told the jurors, “J like justice, D like defending yourself.”
Harden claimed the victims shot first, firing 23 shots at Thompkins, and “bullets were raining down on his head.” According to Harden, a witness will testify that they watched Thompkins crouch and hide from the gunfire. Harden claimed witness testimony will also reveal that one of the victims said ,“He right there” when they saw Thompkins nearby. “They had found their target,” said Harden.
In addition, Harden said the medical examiner will testify that the .45 caliber casings were found in one victim, not three.
The prosecution’s case is “weak and unreliable,” argued Harden. The evidence will prove the other side fired the first shots and Thompkins “acted to protect himself.” Therefore, the jury must find him not guilty.
The parties are scheduled to reconvene on May 26.
