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 believe he had a gun.
Sandidge is charged with first-degree murder and related weapons offenses in connection with the death of 20-year-old Keenan Lee.
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A Southeast D.C. man who was shot and killed July 20 has been identified as 52-year-old Walter Goode Jr.
Goode was found in the 1100 block of First Place Northwest around 4:20 a.m. Saturday suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died on the scene.
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Prosecutors in the murder case against Albrecht Muth have argued that Muth be allowed to stand trial, despite his inability to attend court hearings.
Proceeding with a trial without the defendant present would be highly unusual, but prosecutors have argued that Muth has forfeited his right to be present at trial by continuing a lengthy hunger strike. The hunger strike has significantly impaired Muth’s health.
In a Friday court filing, first reported by the AP, prosecutors said Muth’s fasting is a deliberate “attempt to avoid trial.”
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A vigil in memory of Eric Leeper, Anthony Chase, and siblings Jamie and Jamahl Jenkins, all killed in double shootings in Ward 7 in the past week, drew more than a hundred people to Southeast DC Monday night, including Mayor Vincent Gray, Councilman Tommy Wells and Councilwoman Yvette Alexander.
The victims were all between the ages of 19 and 28.
The links roundup is after the jump.
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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 Zucker, Sandidge’s defense attorney, says that Lee had a history of violence, and that the person who shot him was acting in self-defense.
Those statements, made during opening arguments in the case Monday, laid the foundation for jurors charged with determining Sandidge’s guilt in Lee’s death.
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Councilwoman Yvette Alexander issued a statement today regarding two double homicides in the past week in Ward 7. Those homicides, both shootings, took the lives of Eric Leeper, Anthony Chase, and siblings Jamie and Jamahl Jenkins.
Reader Alexander’s statement below.
Councilmember Alexander Responds to Recent Wave of Violence in Ward 7
Over the last ten days, there has been an upsurge in violent crime in Ward 7. Most notably, there were double homicides in both the Stoddert Terrace and Capitol View communities. Three young African-American males and one African-American female have died as a result of these senseless acts of violence.
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Update: Councilwoman Yvette Alexander’s office has confirmed that the vigil will be held in the 300 block of Ridge Rd SE at 7:30 p.m. Monday. The vigil will also honor Eric Leeper and Anthony Chase, killed late Wednesday night.
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A vigil in memory of siblings Jamie and Jamahl Jenkins, killed in a double shooting in Northeast DC over the weekend, is planned for Monday night, WJLA and NBC Washington report.
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Five people were killed in D.C. this week, bringing this year’s total homicide count to 51. June and July have been the deadliest months thus far with 12 and 11 homicides, respectively.
Judge John Ramsey Johnson found probable cause Monday that Asia Moore stabbed and killed 23-year-old Marvin Harvey. Moore, though, has been released from jail on a personal promise to attend all scheduled court hearings.
A judge found probable cause to believe that Don Demichie Page Jr. participated in the shooting death of 28-year-old Quentin Lavar White. Page remains held pending a preliminary hearing.
Judge Ronna Beck found substantial probability that Kevin Brown participated in the shooting death of 19-year-old James Edward Dean.
A medical examiner determined the death of Rayshawn Hailstock to be a homicide. Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said detectives are still “investigating the circumstances of the case and will present the facts to the [United States Attorney’s Office].”
Eric Jerome Payne was sentenced Friday to four years in prison in connection with the death of Charles Hicks. Payne apologized for his actions.
Sister and brother Jamie and Jamahl Jenkins were killed in a double shooting in the 5300 block of East Capitol Street Northeast around 4:30 Saturday morning. Jamahl was pronounced dead at the scene; Jamie later died at the hospital.
According to relatives, Jamahl Jenkins was with his sister in order to help her; she had called home after being robbed of her purse.
A links round-up is after the jump.
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The identity of a Saturday morning shooting victim remains withheld pending family notification.
Police say an adult male was found unconscious in the 1100 block of First Place Northwest around 4:20 a.m. Saturday. The victim suffered multiple gunshots and died on scene. He was the first of three shot and killed overnight.
A press release from MPD is after the jump.
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