Video Evidence Shows Homicide Defendant Participating in Jail Stabbing

By Mariam Kamate [former] - February 24, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

On Feb. 24, a judge denied bond to a first-degree murder defendant as a recent video shows him jumping over a table and stabbing another inmate while in D.C. Jail. 

Jermaine Harris, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 38-year-old Lamar Walters on the 2400 block of Franklin Street, NE, on Jan. 6, 2020. Court documents explain that Walters walked into the Washington Hospital Center suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on his body. He was later pronounced dead.

During Friday’s status hearing, the prosecutor informed the judge that the defense rejected a plea agreement. The agreement was that if the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder while armed for Walter’s murder, Harris would only have spent six to ten years in prison. 

The plea offer also dropped additional charges stemming from a prison stabbing Harris participated in on Jan 6. There is video evidence showing Harris’ involvement. 

Harris rejected the plea agreement offer because he only wants six years. 

Defense attorney Jonathan S. Zucker told the prosecutors that it is “unlikely” for the prosecution to win the trial. Zucker said that in the previous trial, which ultimately ended in a mistrial, a majority of the jurors would have found Harris not guilty. 

However, the prosecution stated that a new jury could come up with a completely different outcome, believing that Harris is ultimately a danger to the community.

“You will never know what you will get with a D.C. jury,” said DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. Judge Brandt denied bond, stating that Harris action’s in regards to the prison stabbing made him no longer trustworthy.

A jury trial is scheduled for June. 3.