U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
District of Columbia

District of Columbia

www.justice.gov/usao/dc

For Immediate Release

Monday, February 28, 2011

District Man Convicted of Second Degree Murder

Victim Had Been Arguing With Defendant’s Father

WASHINGTON – Julius Johnson, 24, of Washington, D.C., has been convicted of second degree murder and other charges in a slaying that took place in August 2005 in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

A jury also found Johnson guilty of various firearms offenses in a verdict that was returned February 25, 2011, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Judge William M. Jackson scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2011.

According to the government’s evidence, Johnson shot and killed the decedent, James Cousart, 41, for disrespecting his father during an argument on August 25, 2005.

The defendant’s father, Bobby Johnson, Sr., and another person were sitting outside, in the 1400 block of First Street, NW, in the early morning hours when Cousart approached them. Bobby Johnson, Sr. and Cousart began to argue. During the argument, Bobby Johnson, Sr., picked up his cell phone and made a call, stating, I’m going to call my sons, I’m going to call J.J. Shortly thereafter, Julius Johnson pulled up in a car, got out, and shot Cousart 20 times, causing the victim’s death.

The investigation of the case went cold until new information was developed that ultimately led to Julius JohnsonŠs arrest in May 2010.

In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Machen praised those who worked on the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), including Detective Jeff Owens, Sgt. Daniel Wagner and his entire squad, and Officer Darryl Young. He additionally praised those who worked on the case from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, including Agents Peter Muldoon and Harry Brady. He also acknowledged the assistance provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah Sines and Glenn Kirschner, Paralegal Specialist Alesha Matthews Yette, and Leif Hickling and the entire Litigation Technology Unit. Finally, he praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine, who prosecuted the case.

###