After Two Mistrials, Prosecutors Drop Murder Charges Against James Sandidge

Judge Lynn Leibovitz dismissed all charges against James Sandidge Tuesday after prosecutors decided not to take the case to trial for a third time. In his first trial, 11 of the 12 jurors were prepared to convict Sandidge of manslaughter in connection with the October 2011 shooting death of Keenan Jerel Lee. But in the … Read more →

Deliberations Begin in James Sandidge’s Retrial

Defense attorneys say the case against James Sandidge depends on the testimony of a single lying witness. Prosecutors say Sandidge acted with excessive force when he shot Keenan Jerel Lee in response to a punch. In July jurors deadlocked, unable to decide which side to believe. Now a new group begins deliberations. After closing arguments … Read more →

Opening Statements Heard in Murder Retrial of James Sandidge

More than seven months after jurors failed to reach a verdict, the retrial of James Sandidge began this week with opening statements. Sandidge, 22, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 20-year-old Keenan Jerel Lee on October 22, 2011, during Howard University’s homecoming weekend. Prosecutors say that on the night … Read more →

Mistrial Declared in James Sandidge Murder Case

Judge Lynn Leibovitz declared a mistrial Wednesday in the case against James Sandidge, after the jury notified the court for the second time that they were deadlocked. Sandidge is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Keenan Jerel Lee in October 2011. The jury has deliberated since July 24. During deliberations, … Read more →

Judge In Sandidge Murder Trial Denies Motion for Mistrial After Jurors Express Concerns Over Safety

Jurors in the case against James Sandidge were instructed to continue deliberating in the case Friday, despite concerns from some jurors about safety and contact with families related to the case. Judge Lynn Leibovitz said jurors told her they were concerned with their safety as jurors, some claiming to have been followed while outside of … Read more →

Deliberations Begin in Murder Case Against James Sandidge

Jurors began deliberating Wednesday in the murder case charging James Sandidge with the murder of Keenan Jerel Lee; they are weighing charges of first-degree mruder and three related weapons charges. Sandidge’s defense attorney has argued that Sandidge is innocent and that the person responsible for Lee’s death— whoever it is— was acting in self-defense. Prosecutors, … Read more →

Witness Says James Sandidge May Have Believed Keenan Lee Had a Gun

Day two in the James Sandidge murder trial began with Mikel Barnes testifying that he is “100 percent sure, no doubt in my mind” that Sandidge is the man who shot and killed Keenan Jerel Lee during an altercation in October 2011. Barnes also said that Lee’s behavior that night could have led someone to … Read more →

James Sandidge’s Defense Attorney: Keenan Lee was Killed in Self-Defense

Prosecutors and defense counsel in the murder trial of James Sandidge agree on one thing: 20-year-old Keenan Jerel Lee had engaged in a brief physical altercation moments before he was shot and killed. But that is where the agreement ends. Prosecutors say Sandidge, who is charged with first-degree murder, shot Lee, who was unarmed. Jonathan … Read more →

Substantial Probability of Second Degree Murder in Fatal Howard University Homecoming Weekend Shooting

Judge Gerald Fisher today rejected James Sandidge’s attorney’s claims of self-defense in a fatal shooting that left one man dead near Howard University during the school’s Homecoming Weekend. Fisher instead found substantial probability in the second-degree murder case and ordered Sandidge held. Sandidge is suspected in the shooting death of Keenan Jerel Lee on Oct. … Read more →

James Sandidge, also known as Brian Scott, Held in Shooting Death of Keenan Lee near Howard University Homecoming Weekend

James Sandidge was ordered held today pending a preliminary hearing on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed in the shooting death of Keenan Lee near Howard University during Homecoming weekend. Sandidge, also known as Brian Deangelo Scott according to court documents, is 22 years old. Charging documents allege that Lee was arguing with another man … Read more →

James Sandidge Arrested in Shooting Death of Keenan Lee

A Temple Hills, Md. man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Keenan Jerel Lee, MPD says. Lee was killed on Oct. 22 near Howard University. James Deangelo Sandidge, 22, was arrested on suspicion of murder two while armed in connection with the case. MPD’s press release is below. October 31, 2011 … Read more →

James Deangelo Sandidge

  • Arrested: Oct. 31, 2011
  • Age: 24
  • Gender: Male
  • Race: Black

Charges dropped in the Oct. 22, 2011, death of Keenan Jerel Lee.