Defense says prison stabbing defendant was 'shrouded in innocence' as trial opened

By Emily Reed
– June 6, 2024
Daily Stories | stab | Suspects | Victims |

During opening arguments before a jury in Judge Jennifer Di Toro's courtroom in Washington Superior Court on June 5, the defense argued that a stabbing suspect was “shrouded in innocence.”

Antoine Donvell Johnson, 28, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault causing great bodily harm and unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred at the DC Jail, in the 1900 block of D. Street, SE. The incident occurred on January 15.

Both sides agreed that the victim would not testify at trial and would instead rely on eyewitness testimony and video footage.

According to the prosecution, video footage from the D.C. jail shows an individual, identified as Johnson, in a physical fight with the victim, with Johnson throwing the first punch. Officers responded to the scene and used pepper spray to control the situation. The victim was found with multiple stab wounds to his arms, stomach and face, as well as a very large cut to his head. He was treated in the prison infirmary.

Both parties agreed that the victim would not testify at trial and would instead rely on eyewitness testimony and video footage,

The prosecution said that throughout the trial, the jury will see video footage of the fight, a knife thrown and police officers running at the scene, as well as the victim's blood “spilling on the ground” and covering his clothes.

Matthew Rist, Johnson's defense attorney, reminded jurors that “the Constitution masks [Johnson] in complete innocence”, even when he is incarcerated and will force the jury to respect its promise of impartiality.

He asked the jury to pay attention to the body language of the victim who made a “visible gesture” when Johnson entered the hallway and who “confronted him aggressively” before the fight took place.

Rist also described a third inmate who approached Johnson and the victim while he was struggling and who appeared to be “holding something in his pocket.”

Finally, Rist said Johnson had no reason to harm the victim and only acted in self-defense.

The parties will return on June 6 to begin presenting evidence and testimony.

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