Judge finds sufficient suspicion in murder case

By Marissa Stambaugh
– 16 September 2024
Daily Stories | Murders | Shootings | Suspects | Victims |

Washington, DC Supreme Court Justice Maribeth Ruffian found there was probable cause in a case of murder and robbery and on September 13 granted prosecutors' request to take the suspect into custody.

Jaylen Suggs, 18, is charged with robbery and first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Ricky Canty on April 25 in the 4000 block of Sheriff Road, NE.

The lead investigator on the scene stated that eyewitnesses and surveillance cameras captured four masked, partially armed individuals approaching a deli before chaos broke out. An eyewitness to the crime specifically recalled one of the suspects approaching him and exclaiming, “Do you know what time it is?”

The suspects began shooting and Canty reportedly returned fire.

After the crime, investigators discovered the suspect's vehicle and said a cellphone inside belonged to Suggs. The phone was allegedly linked to Suggs through photos, the passcode was his birthday, and the usernames were linked to aspects of his life.

Suggs was also involved in a burglary in Prince George's County that occurred in the same vehicle as the murder, according to the indictment.

Judge Ruffian ruled that there was no direct evidence that he was the one who fired the gun, but under the probable cause principle, the evidence – witness statements, surveillance video, recovered phone records and vehicle connections – was sufficient to establish that he was present and involved in the robbery that resulted in Canty's death.

Prosecutors asked that Suggs be kept in custody because he posed a danger to the community due to the nature and circumstances of the crime.

Kevann Gardner, Suggs' attorney, argued that stolen cars are often passed around in such crimes, so it's possible that Suggs' phone was left in the car by someone else on a previous trip. According to Gardner, Suggs' phone was inactive for hours before the crime, which could prove he had nothing to do with the robbery-turned-murder.

Gardner requested that Suggs be released to house arrest because he has strong family support and cares for his younger siblings and older family members. Gardner also claimed that the danger of house arrest is less because they would ensure that he complies with his release.

The court ultimately granted the prosecution's request, citing the nature of the crime, the burden of proof, the defendant's criminal history and the danger that release would pose to the community.

The parties will meet again on November 14.