Man charged with assault found not guilty following trial
Client(s) Client G
On September 29, 2014, Judge Stephen Eilperin of the D.C. Superior Court found a Jones Day client not guilty of assault charges filed against him by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
The case involved allegations that Jones Day's client---an eagle scout and scholarship student at multiple prestigious universities---had physically assaulted an acquaintance at a Washington, D.C. bar. Jones Day's client sharply contested the allegations, explaining when he testified that his acquaintance had assaulted him without provocation and that his response was entirely in self defense. Jones Day entered the case to help him fight this false criminal charge.
Jones Day proceeded to build a comprehensive defense that contested the complaining witness's story to the police and prosecutors, in addition to providing context about both the defendant and the complaining witness. At trial, Jones Day attorneys cross-examined the complaining witness, repeatedly impeaching his testimony with inconsistencies in his prior interview with the police. Jones Day attorneys also presented extensive evidence of the good character of Jones Day's client, particularly his well-established reputation in the community for being a truthful and non-violent person.
After a one-day trial, Judge Eilperin acquitted Jones Day's client. Judge Eilperin ruled from the bench immediately after closing arguments and without even retiring to deliberate.
