Victim’s Sister Offers Emotional Testimony in Homicide Retrial

By Sadie Herman [former] - December 5, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

On Dec. 4, more witness testimony, including from the victim’s sister, was presented in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

Marquette Jordan, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed, threatening to kidnap or injure a person, assault with a dangerous weapon, simple assault, and carrying a dangerous weapon outside of a home or business with a prior felony for his alleged involvement in an April 30, 2018 stabbing homicide of 40-year-old Ivan Lynch on the 900 block of Fifth Street, SE. 

This is a retrial since a jury hearing the case in April 2022 was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

The prosecution continued their case by calling a forensic DNA analysis and serology specialist. Serology is the study of blood serum. 

The prosecution questioned the witness about items previously analyzed by the Department of Forensic Science (DFS), that the witness additionally reviewed.

The witness explained some items traced back to Lynch’s DNA, such as the interior front door at the crime scene, a black tank top, and a pair of khaki pants though the wearer was unknown.

The expert emphasized that the DNA data she reviewed from DFS was reliable and accurate.

During cross examination, the witness explained that many items had been collected from the crime scene, but only these four were tested and analyzed for DNA. 

The prosecution called Lynch’s sister who said she and Lynch were very close, and that “He was her favorite brother”. 

In emotional testimony, Lynch’s sister explained a woman approached her at home the day after her brother’s death, claiming to have information regarding the crime. The witness said the woman said Jordan killed Lynch, and that “he picked up a knife and stabbed my brother in the back”.

Lynch’s sister later discovered that the woman was Jordan’s ex-lover, who had allegedly been present at the time of the murder. 

Lynch’s sister said she took the woman into her home to reveal details of the murder to Lynch’s father, describing this woman as a “victim herself,” and appearing a “hot mess.”

During cross-examination, Jordan’s defense counsel, Michael Bruckheim and Camille Wagner, questioned Lynch’s sister about Jordan’s ex-lover’s appearance and manner when she arrived at her home. Specifically, “Was she being careful with her words?”, and “Was she making eye contact?”

The sister responded that the woman had not been exhibiting any suspicious behavior. Lynch’s sister reiterated that she had taken Jordan’s ex-lover into her home because she was a victim and not the aggressor. 

Following the sister’s testimony, the prosecutors rested its case. Bruckheim and Wagner alerted Judge Brandt they would not be presenting a case to the jury.

Additionally, Judge Brandt denied defense counsel’s motion for acquittal.

Parties are expected back Dec. 5 for closing arguments.