Irving Harris Johnson | Homicide Watch DC

Judge Sentences Irving Harris Johnson to 82 Years for Death of Barbour and Simmons

Penny Ray — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:36:11 -0400

Judge Lynn Leibovitz sentenced Irving Harris Johnson Thursday to 82 years in prison in connection with the shooting deaths of Domonique Barbour and Jimmie Lee Simmons III.

A jury convicted Johnson on two counts of first-degree murder and several related assault and firearms charges in February.

Witnesses testified at trial that Johnson had been having a dispute with Barbour and several of his friends. That dispute, prosecutors argued, culminated with Barbour and Simmons' death on July 9, 2011.

One witness testified that while he and Johnson were housed in adjacent jail cells, Johnson admitted to killing two people because of a physical altercation that occurred some time ago. The witness said that Johnson’s original plan was to rob one of the men, but “someone made a certain move, so he pulled the trigger.”

Cell phone tower information introduced at trial showed that Johnson’s phone had been within a mile of the shooting location at the time of the incident. No weapons were ever recovered in connection with the case.

Sentencing documents are below.

Irving Harris Johnson PDS Letter (PDF)Irving Harris Johnson PDS Letter (Text)

A press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office is below:

WASHINGTON – Irvin Johnson, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 82 years of incarceration for killing two men and wounding another, and shooting at a fourth man, in a pair of shootings in 2011, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

Johnson was found guilty in February 2013 of a total of 15 charges following a two-week trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. They included two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and numerous related firearms offenses. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz sentenced him today.

According to the government’s evidence, the violence stemmed from a longstanding dispute between Johnson and the victims, stemming from a robbery that Johnson had committed against one of their friends in 2008. During the evening hours of June 21, 2011, Johnson and an associate entered the 1500 block of Spring Place NW and shot at a man. No one was injured during the shooting, but a number of cars and buildings in the block were damaged.

Nearly three weeks later, in the early morning hours of July 9, 2011, in the 1400 block of Parkwood Place NW, Johnson ambushed and executed by shooting in the head Jimmie Simmons, 32, and Dominique Barbour, 31. The defendant also shot Anthony Thomas, then 21, in the head and chest. Miraculously, Mr. Thomas survived. Sadly, after a year of struggling from the injuries inflicted by the defendant, Mr. Thomas took his own life.

Immediately after the shooting, Johnson went on the run. He hid at friends’ homes in Washington, D.C., and eventually fled to a relative’s house in Lusby, Md., where he was apprehended by the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force on Sept. 9, 2011.

During the sentencing hearing, family members of the victims emotionally expressed their deep sorrow for the loss of their loved ones. After reviewing submissions from the government, attorneys for the defendant, and many victim impact statements from the family members and friends of the victims, Judge Leibovitz sentenced the defendant to the 82-year prison term followed by five years of supervised release. Immediately before the judge imposed sentence, Johnson yelled out, “Just throw the book at me and be done with it. I got things to do.”

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the outstanding investigative work of the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, including the Superior Court Warrant Squad; the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Maryland State Police. Mr. Machen thanked Dr. Carolyn Revercomb, formerly of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia, as well as the Court Supervision and Offender Services Agency. He expressed appreciation for the work of Paralegal Specialists Alesha Matthews, Meridith McGarrity, Sandra Lane, Sharon Newman, and Fern Rhedrick; Intelligence Analysts Lawrence Grasso and Sharon Johnson; Criminal Investigators Tommy Miller and Durand Odom; Witness Security Specialists David Foster, La June Thames, and Debra Cannon; Litigation Services Specialists Joshua Ellen, William Henderson and Paul Howell; and Victim Advocates Marcey Rinker and Christina Principe for their support. Mr. Machen acknowledged the work of Assistant United States Attorney Erin O. Lyons, who investigated the case and Assistant United States Attorneys Erin O. Lyons and Glenn L. Kirschner, who tried the case.

Irving Harris Johnson Convicted in Murders of Domonique Barbour and Jimmie Lee Simmons

Penny Ray — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:15:59 -0500

Jurors found Irving Harris Johnson guilty Thursday on two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting deaths of Domonique Barbour and Jimmie Lee Simmons III. The jury also found Johnson guilty of several assault and firearm charges in connection with the case.

The jury deliberated for a day and a half before announcing their verdict in the 2011 homicides shortly before noon Thursday.

Judge Lynn Leibovitz's courtroom was packed for each day of trial testimony, but the verdict came so suddenly that few could make it to the courtroom in time.

At trial, witnesses testified that Johnson had been having a dispute with Barbour and several of his friends. Following a basketball tournament in June 2011, Johnson and one witness engaged in a fist fight. After the fight, Johnson told the witness "it's never over," according to trial testimony.

The witness testified that later that night Johnson shot at him.

Another witness testified that while he and Johnson were housed in adjacent jail cells, Johnson admitted that he had shot two people because of a physical altercation that occurred some time ago. The witness said that Johnson's original plan was to rob one of the men, but "someone made a certain move, so he pulled the trigger."

Barbour and Simmons died on July 9, 2011. A medical examiner determined that the barrel of the gun was within two feet of their bodies when the shots were fired.

Prosecutors used cell phone tower information to show that Johnson's phone had been within a mile of the shooting location at the time of the incident. No weapons were ever recovered in connection with the case.

Sentencing has been scheduled for April 25.

Jury Begins Deliberations in Murder Trial Against Irving Johnson

Penny Ray — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:10:23 -0500

After six days of witness testimony, jurors in the murder trial against Irving Harris Johnson began deliberations Tuesday.

Johnson, 32, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and several assault and firearm charges in connection with the July 2011 shooting deaths of Domonique Barbour and Jimmie Lee Simmons III. Johnson is also charged with destruction of property and assault with intent to kill in connection with a shooting that occurred on June 21, 2011.

Prosecutors allege that Johnson shot Barbour, Simmons and another man, Anthony Thomas, a little before 6 a.m. on July 9, 2011; Thomas survived his injuries.

Barbour suffered three gunshot wounds; two to the face. Simmons suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.

At trial, a medical examiner testified that both Barbour and Simmons had gun powder tattooing around their wounds, indicating that the barrel of the gun had been within two feet of their bodies when it was fired.

A witness who was close friends with Barbour and Simmons testified that he and Johnson got into a fist fight following a basketball tournament in June 2011.

According to the witness, Johnson had been having a dispute with some of the witness's friends, including Barbour. The witness approached Johnson in an effort to make peace, but Johnson “didn't want to hear it.” The witness said Johnson then hit him and the two men engaged in a fight lasting seven minutes; jurors viewed a video of the fight which was recorded by a nearby surveillance camera.

Johnson lost the fight to the other man, Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Kirschner told the jury, and this upset him.

The witness said that after the fight Johnson told him “it's never over.”

The witness testified that later that night, while outside his home, Johnson shot at him; the shooting damaged his mother's vehicle. The witness said that he initially lied to police about being a target in that shooting because he “felt things were squashed.” After he learned about the deaths of Barbour and Simmons, the witness went to police and retold his story, according to testimony.

“He took something not serious and made it real serious,” the witness testified.

A cooperating government witness testified that while he was incarcerated with Johnson in Oct. 2011 the two of them communicated in the most secure way two inmates can: they spoke through the pipes of the toilets while they were flushing.

The witness said over the month he and Johnson were housed in adjacent cells, he and Johnson had several conversations about their cases.

The witness testified that Johnson told him that he had shot two people because of a physical altercation that had occurred some time ago; Johnson did not tell the witness who the altercation was with.

The witness said that Johnson's original plan was to rob one of the men; but “someone made a certain move, so he pulled the trigger.”

The reason Johnson fired several shots, the witness said, is because “he didn't want any witnesses.” Johnson also told him that he was now worried about cell phone tower information that the government could use to place him near the scene of the crime, according to trial testimony.

Prosecutors also showed the jury a handwritten note Johnson wrote in jail, in which he describes the crime in the first person, and references details that weren't introduced as evidence in the case.

The cell phone tower information used to identify Johnson's location on the night of both shootings in connection with this case was shown to the jury. A Sprint radio frequency engineer testified that although the phone Johnson owned did not have GPS technology to pinpoint his exact location, the records showed that Johnson's phone was within a mile of each shooting location at the time of the incidents.

Johnson's attorney, Liyah Brown, said the range was so wide it meant little. The mile radius meant someone tracking her phone wouldn't know if she was at D.C. Superior Court, Gallery Place, the Newseum or walking on Pennsylvania Avenue, Brown said.

"That is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt," Brown said.

Brown also argued that the government's witnesses, including the jail inmate, were not reliable.

Outside the courtroom, Johnson's mother, Stephanie, expressed concern about the government's use of a cooperating witness.

“They're trying to railroad my son,” she said. “How can they be credible?”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Kirschner told the jury it was the combined weight of the evidence, however circumstantial, that pointed to Johnson as the suspect.

Johnson fled to a relative's house in Maryland after the shooting, Kirschner said. When U.S. Marshals eventually found him there, he tried to kick out a back door and flee, telling the agents, "How'd you find me?" as they took him into custody, Kirschner said.

The woman who called police about the shooting testified that people frequently gamble on the corner near her home in the 1300 block of Parkwood Place Northwest. She said she awoke to voices laughing outside her window around 3:30 a.m. on the morning of the shooting; she next awoke to the sound of gunshots.

The woman testified that when she looked out the window two men were standing on the sidewalk, and two men were lying on the ground. She immediately called police and ran out her front door, but when she got outside she only found Barbour and Simmons; the other men were gone, she testified.

Another witness testified that on the morning of the shooting between 5:30 and 6 a.m. he saw Barbour, Simmons, and Thomas gambling on the corner of Parkwood Place and 14th Street NW; he saw Johnson and a separate group of people gambling at the intersection of Parkwood Place and Center Street NW.

He later heard gunshots, but did not see the shooter, the witness testified.

A crime scene technician testified that over 120 pieces of evidence were recovered from the vicinity of the incident. Only one caliber of cartridge casings was discovered: 10mm. Several different colored dice, three one-dollar bills, and several bullet fragments were also recovered from the scene. No weapons of any kind were found, according to trial testimony.

After Anthony Thomas was transported to Washington Hospital police found a loaded .22 caliber revolver in his pants pocket; the gun contained no expended cartridges, the technician testified.

The jury is scheduled to continue its deliberations Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

Sam Pearson contributed reporting.

Irving Johnson Pleads Innocent in Columbia Heights Triple Shooting

Laura Amico — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 10:14:03 -0400

A 23-count indictment has charged Irving Johnson with first-degree murder in a Columbia Heights shooting that left two men dead.

Johnson pleaded innocent to the charges in court on Friday.

Sade Stephens, charged with being an accessory after the fact to the shooting, pleaded innocent also.

A trial date was set for Feb. 4, 2013.

The indictment charges that on June 21, 2011 Irving shot at one person and destroyed another person's property. It further charges that on July 9, Irving shot at Jimmie Simmons, Dominique Barbour, and two others. Simmons and Barbour were killed.

MPD identified Dominique Barbour as "Dominique Barber." Court records indicate the "Barbour" spelling.

Johnson was arrested Sept. 9 on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder while armed and one count of assault with intent to kill.

The 23-count indictment charges Johnson with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill, one count of aggravated assault, one count of destruction of property, and ten weapons offenses.

Stephens is charged with being an accessory after the fact, three counts of obstruction and two counts of perjury.

Charging documents in the case state that Barbour and Simmons were out on the street in Northwest DC in the early morning hours of July 9. Early reports indicated that the group of men was gambling when a man walked up and fired a gun. Simmons was shot once— in his right cheek. Barber was shot three times– twice in the head and once in the leg.

At a preliminary hearing in Nov. 2011, MPD Detective Anthony Brigidini testified that Domonique Barbour, Simmons and friends of theirs blamed Johnson for a robbery that had taken place in their neighborhood several years before and they were concerned that he was out of jail.

A copy of the indictment is below.

Irving Johnson Ordered Held in Deadly Columbia Heights Triple Shooting

Laura Amico — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:51:20 -0500

Irving Johnson was ordered held today on substantial probability in connection with a triple shooting in Columbia Heights that left two men dead this summer.

In court for his preliminary hearing, Johnson was ordered held while awaiting trial, even though his attorney had argued that there wasn't enough evidence on the record to move the case forward.

MPD Detective Anthony Brigidini testified at the hearing that Domonique Barber, Jimmie Lee Simmons III and friends of theirs blamed Johnson for a robbery that had taken place in their neighborhood several years before and they were concerned that he was out of jail.

Barber and Simmons, said Brigidini, weren't "looking for trouble."

"They had grown up and were trying to work and were not in the game anymore," he said, clarifying that by "game" he meant being out on the street.

Charging documents state that Barber and Simmons were out on the street in the early morning hours of July 9. Early reports indicated that the group of men was gambling when a man walked up and fired a gun. Simmons was shot once-- in his right cheek. Barber was shot three times--- twice in the head and once in the leg.

A third person who was shot survived. At the preliminary hearing Brigidini said one person stated that that person returned gunfire, but that a weapon found on him in the emergency room had no evidence of being fired.

Johnson was identified by a witness while in custody of MPD. That witness viewed a photo array including Johnson's photo. Brigidini said that while that witness said it was either Johnson or someone else, he said that the witness appeared to fixate on Johnson's photo.

Brigidini said the witness's eyes "bugged out" or got big, he stared at the photo of Johnson and began exhibiting "ticks and stressors."

Johnson was arrested in Maryland in September, about an hour and a half outside of D.C. Brigidini said he kicked out a window and attempted to flee before surrendering to authorities.

Preliminary Hearing Postponed in Columbia Heights Double Homicide

Laura Amico — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:49:19 -0400

A preliminary hearing for Irving Johnson, suspected in the Columbia Heights double homicide which killed Domonique Barber and Jimmie Lee Simmons III has been postponed according to court records.

Johnson was scheduled to appear in front of Judge Gerald Fisher Thursday morning. He is now scheduled for Nov. 18. Johnson was presented with the charge of first degree murder while armed on Sept. 10.

Irving Harris Johnson Arrested in Columbia Heights July Shooting Deaths of Domonique Barber and Jimmie Lee Simmons

Laura Amico — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 09:22:12 -0400

A man wanted by D.C. police in connection with a triple shooting in Columbia Heights this July has been arrested.

According to a message on the Third District listserve, Irving Harris Johnson of Northwest D.C. was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder while armed and one count of assault with intent to kill.

Court records do not show that the charges have been filed yet.

Domonique Barber and Jimmie Lee Simmons were shot just before six a.m. on July 9. A third shooting victim survived. Earlier reports indicated that there was gambling at the time of the shooting and that two black males were seen fleeing from the scene.

MPD's listserve message is below.

The Metropolitan Police Department announces that an arrest has been made in the double homicide shooting of 31 year old Dominique Barber, and 32 year old Jimmie Lee Simmons, and the shooting of 21 yr old Anthony Lamont Thomas which occurred on July 9, 2011, in the 1400 block of Parkwood Place, Northwest.

Mr. Irving Harris Johnson of Northwest, Washington DC, was arrested and charged with two counts of Murder One While Armed, and one count Assault with Intent to Kill While Armed. He was arrested this morning by the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.