Trial Date Set In Double Murder Case  

By Alesar Harfoush [former] - April 11, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Five years after the murder of Jermaine Bowens  and  Elijah Henry, a trial date is finally scheduled for 2025.  

Twenty-three-year-old James Mayfield is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, three counts of robbery while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, threat to kidnap or injure a person, assault with dangerous weapon, 11 counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license and possession of unregistered firearm. The charges stemmed from multiple incidents that occurred between Dec. 26 and Dec. 27 of 2017, including the alleged shootings that caused the death of Bowens, 38, and Henry, 21. 

Mayfield allegedly committed the crime while he had an arrest warrant issued against him on Oct 25, 2017, in connection with the shooting of Jhamari Sydnor,17, on Aug. 10, 2017, at the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenue, NE.

On Dec. 26, 2017, Bowens was found by MPD officers with multiple gunshots to his lower body on the 2000 block of 22nd Street, NE. He was transferred to Medstar/Washington Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. 

The next morning on Dec. 27, 2017, Mayfield allegedly attempted to rob a man while armed on the 3000 block of Berry Street, NE. The male was able to flee and report the robbery to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Mayfield was later arrested after the male identified Mayfield as the individual  who tried to rob him.

After Mayfield  was searched, MPD officers allegedly found a gun tucked to his pants, according to court documents. The gun was later examined and deemed the same gun that was used in the alleged shooting of Bowens and Henry.  

Earlier that day, while hanging out with his friends in a townhouse on the 1800 block of Bryant Street, NE, Mayfield got into an argument with Henry over a coat. The argument resulted in Mayfield reportedly shooting Henry. He was found lifeless with a gunshot wound on his upper right shoulder, according to court documents.

During the investigation, a witness who was in the townhouse where Henry was found told the detective that “Jamo” who shot Henry along with an associate known as “Phill” went up to “Toga” and shot up the area where a girl was shot. 

The detective recognized the description as the murder of Syndor in Saratoga.

The detective then retrieved a flyer that had Mayfield’s picture on it soliciting the public’s help with his arrest for the murder of Syndor. After seeing the flyer the witness immediately pointed at the photo and said “That’s him, right there, that’s “Jamo”, he ain’t got dreads no more”,  court document stated.  

Jurors found Mayfield guilty of all charges regarding Syndor’s murder on Dec. 8, 2022, however, the case is still pending sentencing after defense filed a motion for a new trial regarding a juror who turned out to have gone to the same school as Mayfield.  

During an April 7 court proceeding both parties explained to DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe why this case is taking so long.  

Defense attorney Veronica Holt on behalf of Mayfield stated that this trial is trailing the murder trial of Syndor and has been put on hold until Syndor’s trial is over. 

Prosecution informed the court that this case has been on the back burner while the Syndor case is ongoing. 

Both cases involving Mayfield came at the same time because after he  killed Syndor,  Mayfield reportedly went on a “ crime spree” that involved nine victims including Henry and Bowens, the prosecution said.   

Based on both parties’ availability, trial, in this case, is slated to start on Jan 27, 2025. 

“That’s seven and a half years after the fact,” Judge O’Keefe said. 

“Given the matters against him that should not be a problem regarding him being detained,” Holt responded. 

Holt also asked the prosecution to hand over additional evidence regarding the murder charges.

A status hearing is scheduled for April 21.