Witness Testifies He Saw Defendant Stab Homicide Victim

By Izabella Apodaca [former] , Jai Bajaj [former] - December 1, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

On Nov. 29, a witness testified he saw a homicide defendant stab the victim during a physical altercation in a 2018 murder trial argued before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

Marquette Jordan, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, assault, and carrying a dangerous weapon outside of a home or business with a prior felony, for his alleged connection to the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Ivan Lynch on April 30, 2018 at the 900 block of 5th Street, SE.

Jordan was first tried in April 2022 and but the jury hung on the first-degree murder charge. However, he was convicted on the lesser counts. The retrial started on Nov. 14.

During the cross examination of the eyewitness, Jordan’s defense attorney, Michael Bruckheim, pointed out inconsistencies between the witness’ testimony and his original interview answers. The witness explained that when he was first interviewed, he was not forthcoming with detectives because he did not want to be associated with this case.

Originally the witness was not aware that Lynch had died. Later, he became more forthcoming. Detectives asked him about his son, who had been shot earlier that year, and compared it to the situation at hand. Then, he gave the detectives the information that he had.

Bruckheim also questioned the witness why he waited ten minutes after the stabbing to call the police. The witness explained that Jordan was still in the apartment following the incident, and he was nervous for his safety.

Then the prosecution called a deputy medical examiner to testify about the injuries Lynch sustained. The witness concluded the cause of death was multiple sharp force injuries, with the fatal wound puncturing the heart. The autopsy photos were displayed to the jury, specifically Lynch’s injured heart.

The Deputy Medical Examiner stated that Lynch also suffered a collapsed lung and lost almost three liters of blood. 

The prosecution called a sergeant with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who arrived on scene when Jordan was being detained. He stated he saw Jordan and two small children with two other MPD officers. The sergeant explained that the “children weren’t wearing appropriate clothing for the cold” so he was concerned about their safety. 

In body-worn camera footage shown in court, Jordan is seen calling the sergeant to the back of the police vehicle and tells him “he picked up a knife but didn’t do anything and just took his girlfriend’s kids.”

Parties are set to return Nov. 30 to resume witness testimony.