WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a highly anticipated trial, a homicide defendant has been partially acquitted of all charges by DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein. The verdict came after weeks of proceedings.
Elhadji Ndiaye, 24, was found not guilty of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, tampering with physical evidence, and destruction of property. These charges were related to the death of 21-year-old Travis Ruth, who was killed on January 18, 2019, on the 2700 block of Jasper Street, NE.
However, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision on the robbery while armed charge and obstruction of justice.
Throughout the trial, Ndiaye’s defense attorney, Nikki Lotze, argued that her client was not present at the scene of the crime. She claimed that two eyewitnesses had conspired to falsely implicate Ndiaye in the murder. Lotze presented three reasons why the jury should doubt the prosecution’s case. She highlighted a lack of forensic evidence, the absence of proof that Ndiaye was in the alley at the time of the shooting, and the inadequacy of the Metropolitan Police Department’s investigation.
Prosecutors sought to establish Ndiaye’s guilt through emotional testimonies from witnesses. They countered the defense’s assertion about the two eyewitnesses by noting that they were close friends of the victim who had spent significant time with Ruth and his family. The prosecution presented an incident during the trial in which the victim’s mother hugged one of the eyewitnesses outside the courtroom. They argued that this gesture contradicted the idea that the eyewitnesses would falsely implicate the defendant.
After deliberations, the jury found Ndiaye not guilty of murdering Ruth. However, they did not reach a verdict on the robbery while armed charge and obstruction of justice.
The next step in the legal process will be a reconvening of the parties on February 23 to determine how prosecutors will proceed with the remaining charges.
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