WASHINGTON, D.C. – On February 9, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein ruled that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a homicide case. The defendant, 66-year-old Reginald Jones, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with the fatal stabbing of his romantic partner, 52-year-old Regina Morris. The incident took place on May 28, 2023, at an apartment on Potomac Avenue in Southeast D.C., and Morris succumbed to her injuries the following day.
According to court documents, Morris’ body was discovered in the shared apartment, with multiple stab wounds to the face, head, back, arms, and hands. Jones voluntarily turned himself in to the Metropolitan Police Department on June 8 and was subsequently arrested.
During the hearing, the prosecution presented the lead detective in the case, who testified about Jones’ alleged involvement in the stabbing. The detective formally introduced court documents detailing the sequence of events during the incident, as well as another set of documents discussing the use of a mobile app in the investigation.
The mobile app in question is called Latch, a smart lock app that takes photos whenever residents unlock a door. The detective stated that Latch captured an individual, identified as Jones, accessing the elevator and garage of the building where Morris’ body was discovered. According to authorities, no other individuals besides Morris and Jones were known to have accessed the apartment.
Madalyn Harvey, Jones’ defense attorney, argued that the judge should consider her client’s age, health issues, and voluntary surrender in determining whether he should be placed under home confinement. Conversely, the prosecution contended that someone who had allegedly committed such a brutal and savage crime should remain incarcerated. Judge Epstein ultimately agreed with the prosecution, asserting that no accommodation could adequately safeguard the community from Jones.
Judge Epstein stated that the evidence presented by the prosecution was more than sufficient to establish probable cause. The next court date, a felony status conference, is scheduled for May 17.
This case highlights the tragic loss of life due to intimate partner violence, bringing attention to the importance of addressing and preventing such incidents. The ruling of probable cause indicates that the court believes there is a reasonable likelihood that Jones committed the crime, clearing the way for further legal proceedings. The defense’s arguments regarding Jones’ age and health will likely be weighed against the severity of the charges during future court hearings.