Christopher Emanuel Freeman | Homicide Watch DC

James Fells Found Innocent in 2011 Murder of Christopher Freeman

Penny Ray — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:46:04 -0400

James Fells was found innocent Tuesday, freeing him from charges related to the 2011 murder of Christopher Freeman.

Jurors in the case deliberated for less than three hours before reaching their verdict.

Dressed in a sweater vest and tie, Fells, 28, wiped the tears from his eyes as the foreperson read the jury's decision around 3.p.m Tuesday.

He had been charged with first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, and four weapons charges.

Prosecutors argued at trial that Fells and Freeman had dated the same woman and that tension had been building between them for months.

But Fells' defense attorney's argued that the government failed to show evidence of that relationship, and that the government's star witness, Markell Gordon, had been less than truthful about the events surrounding the shooting.

During closing arguments Tuesday morning, Fells' defense attorney Kia Sears shared with the jury a number of different scenarios that could explain how Freeman was murdered and by whom.

Sears said that it was possible that Gordon had attempted to rob Freeman, but that the robbery had gone awry. Sears told the jury that Gordon, who was in the hospital while being interviewed by police shortly after the shooting, pointed the finger at Fells to keep the police from suspecting himself as the shooter.

Freeman was killed August 5, 2011. Fells was arrested seven days later and was detained while he awaited trial. Judge Ronna Beck signed a release order for him Tuesday afternoon following the jury's verdict.

Fells was initially identified in court documents under the name James Fields.

Jury Deliberations Begin in Murder Trial Against James Fells

Penny Ray — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:21:11 -0400

Jurors in the murder trial of James Fells heard closing arguments in the case Tuesday morning.

Fells, 28, is charged with first-degree murder and several assault and firearms charges in connection with the 2011 shooting death of 28-year-old Christopher Freeman.

When presenting the government's case at trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Bradford argued that Fells and Freeman at one point dated the same woman, and that tension between the two had been building for months.

Fells' defense attorney's argued that the government failed to show evidence of that relationship, and that the government had been duped into accepting a false story from the man who really committed the murder: Markell Gordon.

“Markell Gordon has not been honest about what happened,” Fells' defense attorney Kia Sears said Tuesday.

At trial, Markell Gordon testified that in the early morning hours of Aug. 5, 2011, he and Freemen were talking in an alley off 34th Street Southeast when Fells approached them, pulled a gun from his waistband, and asked Gordon to identify himself. Fells then put the gun back in his waistband, Gordon told the court.

Gordon said that the three men stood talking in the alley for about ten minutes, and then Fells walked off. Minutes later, Fells returned to the alley, this time talking on his cell phone. According to Gordon, Fells walked past them, stopped, turned around, and then shot at them.

Gordon was struck in the left side of his face, the left shoulder and his right hand. Freeman suffered 11 gunshot wounds to his head and upper body; seven 9mm shell casings were found scattered around his body.

“The defendant was standing almost over Christopher Freeman as he was firing,” Michelle Bradford told the jury. “And he fired those 11 shots into his body to make a statement.”

Police also found an empty sawed-off shotgun hidden in the bushes 15 feet from Freeman’s body; no shotgun shells were recovered.

Police never found the weapon used to murder Freeman.

Gordon testified that when he was admitted into the hospital he used his brother's name because he was in violation of parole and a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

Police questioned Gordon about the incident while he was in the hospital with his mouth wired shut. When detectives asked Gordon who shot him and Freeman, he wrote, “Jim,” referring to Fells. Gordon later identified Fells from a photograph lineup.

Jason Zencka, a former investigator with the D.C. Public Defender Service, testified that when he interviewed Gordon about the shooting, Gordon told him that Fells had not shot him, and that he did not know who the shooter was. Zencka said that Gordon told him that he was “drugged up and scared” the night of the shooting and that the story he told police was false.

Fells' defense attorneys argued at trial that because Gordon lied to hospital staff and gave conflicting accounts of the shooting, he could not be trusted.

“There are a number of scenarios that make more sense than what Mr. Gordon has told you,” Sears said to the jury.

Jury deliberations began approximately at noon Tuesday.

Witness Testifies James Fells Shot and Killed Christopher Freeman Without Provocation

Penny Ray — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:26:35 -0400

A months-long dispute between James Fells and Christopher Emanuel Freeman ended in a shooting that left Freeman dead and sent another man in the hospital with serious injuries, prosecutors told a jury Tuesday.

Fells, who has also used the name James Fields, is charged with first-degree murder and several assault and weapons charges in connection with Freeman's death.

Police found Freeman, 28, lying face-up in an alley around 3:30 a.m. Aug. 5, 2011. Seven 9mm cartridge casings were scattered around the scene. Police also found an empty sawed-off shotgun hidden in the bushes 15 feet from Freeman's body; no shotgun shells were recovered.

Fells' defense attorneys, though, say the case hinges on the testimony of a faulty witness. Another man, Markell Gordon, survived the shooting and made up a story about Fells, they contend.

Gordon "is a man with things to hide," defense attorney Michael Carter told the jury Tuesday.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 5, 2011, Gordon and Freemen were talking in an alley off 34th Street Southeast when Fells approached them, pulled a gun from his waistband, and asked, “Who is that?” After Gordon identified himself, Fells put the gun back in his waistband, Gordon told the court.

Gordon said that the three men stood talking in the alley for about ten minutes, and then Fells walked off. Five minutes later, Fells returned to the alley, this time talking on his cell phone. According to Gordon, Fells walked past them, stopped, turned around, and then shot at them.

Gordon was struck in the left side of his face, the left shoulder and his right hand. Charging documents state that Freeman suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and upper body.

Gordon testified that he fell to the ground, blacked out for a few seconds, then got up and ran. He said he never looked to see what happened to Freeman.

Gordon said that he ran to several homes in the area and banged on doors, but neighbors would not help him. He had a T-shirt in his mouth to stop the bleeding, and he could barely speak because his mouth was locked open.

Finally, Gordon managed to stop a car that was driving down the street. Freeman's brother and one of his cousins were in the vehicle, Gordon said. While they sped to the hospital, they asked Gordon about Freeman, but he did not give them an answer.

“I was trying to avoid all the questions,” Gordon testified. “I was just trying to get to the hospital.”

Doctors at United Medical Center wired Gordon's mouth shut and he ate through tubes for more than a week. He communicated with police using pen and paper. He checked into the hospital under his brother’s name, he said, because he was in violation of his parole and a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

When detectives asked Gordon who shot him and Freeman, Gordon wrote, “Jim,” referring to Fells. A few days later, detectives returned to the hospital with a photo array and asked Gordon if the shooter was pictured in the lineup; Gordon circled a picture of Fells.

Fells' defense attorneys argued that because Gordon had lied to hospital staff, his account of the shooting couldn’t be trusted.

The trial is scheduled to resume Wednesday in Judge Ronna Beck's courtroom.

"Not Guilty" Plea in Fatal SE DC Double Shooting

Laura Amico — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:31:51 -0400

James Fields, suspected in the shooting death of Christopher Freeman in Southeast DC on August 5, pled innocent to the charges against him Friday.

Fields, 28, was indicted on March 14 on charges including premeditated first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault while armed, and weapons offenses.

Freeman was one of two people shot in an ally in the 300 block of 34th Street Southeast at about 3 a.m. on Aug. 5. At a preliminary hearing, Detective William Covington said that Freeman was shot at least seven times and was found dead at the scene.

Freeman’s friend was shot once; the bullet went through his hand and shoulder and struck his face. He wasn’t able to speak with police because of his injuries, but in an interview wrote that “Jim did it.” He went on to describe a man whom police ultimately identified as Fields.

Fields’ attorney, Kia Sears, argued at the hearing that darkness in the alley where the shooting occurred could have made it difficult for anyone to accurately identify someone.

"Substantial Probability" in Case Against James Fields, Rules Leibovitz

Laura Amico — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:43:35 -0400

Judge Lynn Leibovitz today found substantial probability in the case against James Fields, accused of fatally shooting Christopher Freeman in Southeast DC on August 5.

Freeman was one of two people shot in an ally in the 300 block of 34th Street Southeast at about 3 a.m. on Aug. 5. Detective William Covington said Friday that Freeman was shot at least seven times and was found dead at the scene.

Freeman's friend was injured in the same shooting; he was shot once. The bullet went through his hand and shoulder and struck his face. He wasn't able to speak with police because of his injuries, but in an interview wrote that "Jim did it." He went on to describe a man whom police ultimately identified as Fields.

Fields' attorney, Kia Sears, argued that darkness in the alley where the shooting occurred could have made it difficult for anyone to accurately identify someone.

Leibovitz, however, ruled that there was substantial probability in the case and ordered Fields held at least until his next court date. That appearance is a scheduled status hearing on Nov. 1.

Street Shrine: Christopher Freeman

Laura Amico — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:15:15 -0400

Washington's Other Monuments has this photo, and others, of a memorial for Christopher Freeman, who was killed in a shooting Aug. 5

See more photos of this memorial, and others, at Washington's Other Monuments.

James Fields, also known as Jamal Mungo, Held in Death of Christopher Freeman

Laura Amico — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:40:08 -0400

James Fields was ordered held today pending a preliminary hearing in connection with the shooting death of Christopher Freeman in Southeast DC on August 5.

Freeman was one of two people shot in an ally in the 300 block of 34th Street Southeast at about 3 a.m. on Aug. 5. According to charging documents in the case, Freeman was shot multiple times in the head and body. He was found in the alley by MPD officers responding to a report of a shooting. The second victim showed up at a local hospital with gunshot wounds to the face, left shoulder and right hand. That victim survived and, in an interview with police, said that "Jim" was responsible for the shooting, charging documents allege.

MPD identified "Jim" as James Fields, also known as Jamal Mungo. According to court documents, Fields lives on Anacostia Road. MPD reported yesterday that he had no fixed address. He is suspected of second-degree murder while armed in the case.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 26 in front of Judge Leibovitz.

Read the charging documents below.

James Fields Arrested in Christopher Freeman Homicide

Laura Amico — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:26:08 -0400

A 31-year-old homeless man has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of Christopher Freeman in Southeast DC on Aug. 5.

James Fields is suspected of second-degree murder while armed in the case, MPD said in a press release.

The release is after the jump.

August 11, 2011

Arrest Made in the Homicide of Christopher Freeman

( Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest was made in the fatal shooting which occurred in the 300 block of 34th Street, SE.

On Friday August 5, 2011, at approximately 3:00 am, units from the Sixth District responded to the 300 block of 34th Street, SE to investigate the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they observed a male in the alley suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene and determined that the victim had no signs consistent with life.

The decedent has been identified as 28 year-old Christopher Emanuel Freeman of Southeast, DC

A second victim was also wounded and transported to an area hospital.

On Thursday, August 11, 2011 at approximately 4:30 pm, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 31-year-old James Fields of no fixed address, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant charging him with Second Degree Murder while Armed.

Double Shooting Friday Kills Christopher Emanuel Freeman

Laura Amico — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:14:20 -0400

A double shooting at about 3 a.m. Friday killed 28 year-old Christopher Emanuel Freeman of Southeast, DC, MPD reports.

Freeman was found shot in an ally in the 300 block of 34th Street Southeast and was pronounced dead at the scene. A second victim was taken to a hospital and MPD did not comment on that person's condition.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

August 5, 2011

Homicide: 300 Block 34th Street, SE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating the fatal shooting which occurred in the 300 block of 34th Street, SE.

On Friday August 5, 2011, at approximately 3:00 am, units from the Sixth District responded to the 300 block of 34th Street, SE to investigate the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they observed a male in the alley suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene and determined that the victim had no signs consistent with life.

The decedent has been identified as 28 year-old Christopher Emanuel Freeman of Southeast, DC

A second victim was also wounded and transported to an area hospital.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746).

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-800-673-2777 and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.