George Jamison | Homicide Watch Trenton

Convicted murderer: I was subjected to excessive force after hitting my defense attorney

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 20:48:14 -0400

Convicted murderer Randy K. Washington has filed a federal lawsuit against Mercer County sheriff’s officers and corrections officers, alleging they subjected him to “cruel and unusual punishment” and failed to provide him with timely medical treatment after he attacked his former lawyer in court.

Randy K. Washington

“Now on Thursday, June 29, 2017, I hit my attorney, but when I hit her, I did not advance toward her, I just waited for the sheriff to come handcuff me,” Washington says in his lawsuit filed Sept. 19. He then accuses the sheriff’s officers of tackling him on a table, slamming him to the ground and breaking a bone in his hand.

“I did not receive treatment until about six weeks after it was noted my hand was broken,” Washington says in his lawsuit, “causing further psychological harm from the pain and mental anguish, emotional distress caused by insomnia from disputes with prison officers about pain medication, violating my Eighth Amendment rights.”

More than a lawsuit, the litigation is effectively a written confession of Washington admitting he assaulted his former defense attorney Jessica Lyons in Mercer County Superior Court Judge Darlene Pereksta’s courtroom on June 29.

Washington, 36, of Trenton, was on trial for stalking, shooting and killing 64-year-old Silas Johnson in Trenton on Oct. 29, 2014. A jury on July 6 found Washington guilty of first-degree murder, weapons offenses and resisting arrest.

Pereksta earlier this month sentenced Washington to 70 years of imprisonment. He is currently incarcerated at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton and is scheduled to be released via parole on April 27, 2074, according to the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

For a convicted murderer who has expressed no remorse for slaying a 64-year-old grandfather, Washington in his litigation recognizes that unjustified force against another individual is unacceptable by the norms of human decency.

“Our society places great value on human life and on the right of every person to be free from offensive physical contact by another,” Washington says. “Consequently, the use of force by one individual against another is frowned upon. For this reason, force is permissible only when all non-force alternatives have failed.”

Washington filed his lawsuit against several Mercer County corrections officers, including Sgt. Timothy Friel, Lt. Chris Zegarski and Warden Charles Ellis, and he also filed suit against unnamed Mercer County sheriff’s officers.

“I do not know the Sheriff Deputy’s name,” Washington concedes in his litigation, apparently referring to one of the officers who apprehended him in court. The whole incident of Washington attacking his lawyer and getting thoroughly subdued by multiple sheriff’s officers is recorded on the courtroom camera and hallway cameras, he said.

Washington has a mile-long rap sheet comprising six juvenile adjudications, nine municipal court convictions and nine upper-court convictions that include previous violent offenses, according to Pereksta, who said her Sept. 22 sentencing of Washington to seven decades of imprisonment was “appropriate” and “just.”

In addition to being sentenced to 70 years of incarceration for first-degree murder, Washington also received a 10-year concurrent sentence for unlawful possession of a handgun and a five-year concurrent sentence for resisting arrest. He has been awarded 1,059 days of jail credit for being incarcerated at the Mercer County Correction Center from Oct. 29, 2014, through Sept. 21, 2017.

Washington has several additional criminal matters pending before state Superior Court, including another homicide case. In addition to murdering Johnson near the intersection of Market Street and the Route 1 overpass in Trenton, the state also accuses Washington of murdering George Jamison, 43, who was shot and killed July 30, 2014, while sitting on a bus stop bench in the 7.5-square-mile capital city of Trenton.

Mercer County has a policy to not comment on pending litigation.

Man accused of killing 2 men during Trenton crime spree rejects plea deal

Scott Ketterer — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 18:28:31 -0400

A man accused of murdering two men during a crime spree rejected a plea deal on Friday.

Randy Kareem Washington is set to face trial in June for the murder of 64-year-old Silas Johnson. It is alleged that Washington was gunned down Johnson near the intersection of Market Street and the Route 1 overpass on the morning of Oct. 29, 2014.

Randy Kareem Washington

The terms of the plea deal offered to 35-year-old Randy Washington would have him serving 30 years on each of the murders. Those sentences would run consecutively for a 60 year prison sentence. Friday's rejection could set Washington up for a life sentence if convicted.

Washington is accused in a litany of offenses that occurred from July to October of 2014. Included in those offenses is the Oct. 29 slaying of Silas Johnson and the July 30 shooting death of George Jamison, 43. He is also facing charges in five robberies that occurred in the city during the crime spree.

On Friday Assistant Prosecutor Stacey Geurds outlined some of the evidence that will be presented at trial including text messages from Washington to his girlfriend, eyewitness testimony and a bloody sweatshirt found at Silas Johnson murder scene. In 2014 Geurds referred to Washington as a "terror" and cited his criminal record indicating five prior convictions, including ones for second-degree aggravated assault and making threats of violence, prosecutors said.

His current attorney Diane Lyons said at Friday's hearing she intended to file suppression motions with regard to a warrantless search, and a search where a warrant was obtained in a bid to exclude evidence at trial.

Jury selection is set to begin on June 6.

Randy Washington indicted in connection with murder of George Jamison

Penny Ray — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:22:43 -0500

Randy Kareem Washington

A man accused of killing two people last year has been indicted in connection with the death of 43-year-old George Jamison.

Randy Washington, 34, was indicted last week on charges of first-degree murder, felony murder, robbery and related weapons offenses in connection with Jamison’s death.

Jamison, of Pennington, was shot once in the back while sitting on a bus stop bench in front of 18 North Broad Street in July last year; he later died at the hospital. Prosecutors say Washington robbed Jamison at gunpoint before he shot him, and then fled from the scene on a bicycle.

Washington has also been indicted in connection with the shooting death of 64-year-old Silas Johnson, who was gunned down in October last year.

Trenton man indicted in connection with 2014 murder of Silas Johnson

Penny Ray — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 13:13:59 -0400

Randy Kareem Washington

A city man accused of killing two people last year has been indicted in connection with one of the cases.

Randy Washington, 34, was recently indicted on charges of murder, related weapons offenses, resisting arrest, obstructing the administration of law and criminal trespass in connection with the shooting death of 64-year-old Silas Johnson. Washington remains in jail on $2.3 million bail.

Johnson was gunned down near the intersection of Market Street and the Route 1 overpass on the morning of Oct. 29. When police arrived on-scene, they found him lying on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Johnson was then taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Witnesses told police that Washington was in a struggle with Johnson when he produced a handgun and fired several times. Police apprehended Washington on Conover Alley shortly after the shooting.

According to prosecutors, evidence collected at the Market Street crime scene also linked Washington to the July 30 murder of George Jamison. Police say Jamison was shot once in the back while sitting on a bus stop bench in front of 18 North Broad Street. The murder was reported as a robbery gone awry, and witnesses told police they saw a lone black male bicycling away from the crime scene shortly after the shooting.

Washington is also charged in connection with five robberies that occurred in the city between July and October last year.

Trenton murder suspect Randy Washington faces additional charges for armed robbery

Isaac Avilucea — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 10:58:02 -0500

Two city men were sitting on the front porch of their city residence in the evening hours of Oct. 16, 2014, when they were approached by a city man clad in a gray sweater, wielding a .45-caliber automatic handgun.

Randy Kareem Washington

The two didn’t know it at the time, but the unknown black male was Randy Kareem Washington, 33, a man authorities say terrorized the city during a fourth-month crime spree that claimed the lives of 43-year-old George Jamison and Silas Johnson, 64.

Washington, charged in five armed robberies and the shooting deaths of the two city men, was charged Tuesday with a sixth armed robbery and an additional count of attempted murder related to the Oct. 16 holdup outside the Centre Street residence. He is being held at a county jail on $2.1 million bail on the murder charges.

Judge Timothy Lydon maintained bail at $250,000 cash-only on the attempted murder count.

Prosecutors said Washington brandished a handgun, pointed it at the two male victims and demanded money around 11:15 p.m. Police were called to the scene on a report of shots fired.

Prosecutors said Washington opened fire on one of the victims when the victim attempted to run inside the home after Washington pointed the gun at him and demanded money.

The gun jammed, prosecutors said, sparing the first victim. Washington fired a second time, this time striking the door of the residence.

The male victim was not struck, got inside safely and locked the door, leaving the other male outside alone with Washington.

Washington turned his attention to the second victim, pointing the gun at him and demanding cash. The victim attempted to slap the gun away from Washington, prosecutors said.

Washington fired another round, grazing the victim in the hand. Washington hopped on a bicycle and rode away, prosecutors said.

Investigators recovered a single Federal .45 automatic shell casing outside the residence. Ballistics tests revealed it came from same handgun Washington used in the murders of Jamison and Johnson, Assistant Prosecutor Stacey Geurds said.

Prosecutors have said Washington stalked and fatally shot Johnson under an overpass near Route 1 on Oct. 29, shortly after the two disembarked from a train ride. Washington accused Johnson of sexually assaulting his sister moments before he fired the fatal shot, prosecutor have said.

Geurds hasn’t said whether investigators substantiated the rape claim. Johnson was accused of sexual assault in 1995, court records show.

Washington is accused of gunning down Jamison during a July 30 botched robbery.

Prosecutors have said police obtained video footage that clearly shows Washington, clad in a multicolor jacket, saying something to Jamison at a North Broad Street bus stop while he held him up at gunpoint. He then allegedly shot Jamison in the back and rode away on a bicycle, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors paint Trenton murder suspect as violent 'terror' who stalked victim

Isaac Avilucea — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 11:50:55 -0500

A Beverly man who “terrorized” Trenton during a murderous four-month crime spree that claimed two men’s lives was “stalking” one of his victims when he climbed aboard a city train the morning of Oct. 29, prosecutors said.

Randy Washington, 33, who has addresses in Trenton and Beverly and is being held on $2.1 million bail, has been charged separately in the July 30 shooting death of George Jamison , 43, and the Oct. 29 slaying of Silas Johnson, 64. He is also facing charges in five robberies that occurred in the city – two in July and three in October, prosecutors said -- but bond was not set on those charges when Washington appeared before at an initial hearing before Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier.
Prosecutors said Washington was apparently hell-bent on avenging his sister’s alleged rape when he sought out Johnson on a train. Prosecutors couldn't shed light on why Washington knew Johnson would be on the train.

Randy Kareem Washington

But the two knew each other, and Washington apparently knew where to find Johnson. In fact, Washington, who wore a pink backpack where he had stashed his .45-caliber semiautomatic handgun, sat directly behind the unassuming Johnson on the train ride, the two men separated only by a partition, according to prosecutors.

When Johnson disembarked from his train ride at a stop near Route 1, Washington followed him and eventually confronted him. A witness said the two men began scuffling. Then the witness said Washington screamed Johnson had raped his sister before he produced a gun and fired. He fled the scene on foot, discarding the gun, backpack and a sweater he wore along a blood-stained “flight of path,” Assistant Prosecutor Stacey Geurds said.

Geurds said police recovered the gun next to the backpack and the article of clothing, along with two shell casings found next to Johnson’s body. Ballistic tests showed the shell casings matched ones left at the scene of Jamison’s murder.

Geurds wouldn’t answer direct questions about whether investigators substantiated the rape claim. But court records show that Johnson was accused of sexual assault in a case dating back to 1995.

Few details, including the outcome of the case, were available in online court records, and it’s unclear if Washington’s sister, who Geurds wouldn’t name, ever filed a police report against Johnson. Geurds spoke vaguely of an investigation into the allegation but wouldn’t go into specifics when pressed.

She chose to focus on the apprehension of Washington, a violent perpetrator with five prior convictions on his rap sheet, including ones for second-degree aggravated assault and making threats of violence, prosecutors said.

“He was a terror,” she said.

Washington was on probation stemming from his conviction on the latter 2013 charge, prosecutors said, when he allegedly shot and killed the two men. Prosecutors believe Washington coldly shot Jamison in the back at a Trenton bus stop following a botched robbery attempt.

Washington was expressionless, with his head and shoulders slumped to one side, as he listened via teleconference to Assistant Prosecutor Al Garcia tick off the final minutes of Jamison’s life.

Garcia said police used ballistic tests they ran on the .45-caliber shell casings recovered at Johnson’s murder scene to tie Washington to Jamison’s killing.

Garcia said police also obtained video footage that clearly shows Washington, clad in a multicolor jacket, saying something to Jamison at a bus stop on North Broad Street while he held him up at gunpoint. He then allegedly shot Jamison in the back and rode away on a bicycle, prosecutors said.

Garcia said police recovered the “unusual jacket” when they executed a search and seizure warrant at the home of Washington’s girlfriend, whom he was staying with. Police said the backpack Washington had slung on his shoulders the day of Johnson’s murder belonged to his girlfriend’s daughter.

Washington also faces weapons charges related to the killings and resisting arrest after he got physical when police took him into custody following Johnson’s murder.

Arrest made in Halloween Homicide, alleged killer found hiding under pile of clothes

Scott Ketterer — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 18:43:04 -0500

Authorities announced on Friday evening that police arrested Donte Jones, 23, of Trenton in connection with the murder of Levonza G. Thompson, 36, of Philadelphia.

According to the Mercer County Prosecutor's office, the 23 year-old was discovered hiding under a pile of clothes in the third floor attic of a home in the first block of Laurel Place.

Thompson was gunned down in the 200 block of Coolidge Avenue around 11:05 p.m. on Halloween. He was rushed to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later, the prosecutor's office said in the release.

The prosecutor’s office said witnesses reported Thompson had been involved in a struggle in the Oakland Park Apartments courtyard area when Jones allegedly pulled a handgun and fired multiple shots.

Jones was arrested Friday morning by members of the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force in a home on the first block of Laurel Place. He is facing murder and weapons charges and his bail has been set at $1 million cash only.

Thompson was the uncle of 23-year-old Naquan Ellis who was shot in June at the North 25 Housing Complex off of Calhoun Street. Ellis died at the hospital.

Jones’ arrest comes just one day after authorities charged Randy Kareem Washington, 33, in connection with the murders of 43-year-old George Jamison and 64-year-old Silas Johnson. He is also charged in connection with five armed robberies that occurred in Trenton between July and October.

Thompson was one of five people slain in a 10-day period, two of those occurring in less than 24-hours. Quran Brittingham was found dead on Monday, and hours later police responded to the 1000 block of South Broad Street to find Rodney Burke, 48, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Burke later died at St. Francis Medical Center.

Those homicides remain under investigation.

Randy Kareem Washington arrested in connection with two murders and five armed robberies

Penny Ray — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:50:49 -0500

Police have charged a city man in connection with two murders and five armed robberies.

Randy Kareem Washington, 33, is charged in connection with the murders of 43-year-old George Jamison and 64-year-old Silas Johnson. He is also charged in connection with five armed robberies that occurred in Trenton between July and October.

"Make no mistake, whether it takes 24 hours or 24 months, we will utilize the full power of our resources to throw in jail anyone who perpetuates violence against our city and its resilient people," Mayor Eric Jackson said in a written statement.

Silas Johnson was gunned down near the intersection of Market Street and the Route 1 overpass on the morning of Oct. 29. When police arrived on-scene, they found him lying on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Johnson was then taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Witnesses told police that Washington was in a struggle with Johnson when he produced a handgun and fired several times. Police apprehended Washington on Conover Alley shortly after the shooting.

According to prosecutors, evidence collected at the Market Street crime scene also linked Washington to the July 30 murder of George Jamison. Police say Jamison was shot once in the back while sitting on a bus stop bench in front of 18 North Broad Street. The murder was reported as a robbery gone awry, and witnesses told police they saw a lone black male bicycling away from the crime scene shortly after the shooting.

Randy Kareem Washington

Washington is also charged in connection with the following armed robberies:

• On July 13, a 44-year-old man exited the Trenton Train Station and was approached from behind by Washington, who then allegedly hit the man in the face with a handgun. Washington then stole $20, a bicycle and a cell phone from the victim, according to prosecutors.

• On July 23, a 24-year-old woman was placing her children in the car after attending church services on North Willow Street when Washington approached her on a bicycle and allegedly pointed a gun at her head. During the robbery, the victim’s purse, wedding band and iPhone were taken.

• On Oct. 16, a 24-year-old man was in the 300 block of Centre Street when Washington allegedly shot the victim in the hand and took his Diamondback bicycle. The bike was recovered by police on the day of the Market Street homicide. Ballistics evidence from the Centre Street robbery has also been linked to the Jamison and Johnson murders, according to prosecutors.

• On Oct. 17, a 44-year-old woman was going to a store near the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Monmouth Street when she was approached by Washington, who allegedly demanded money. When the woman said that she did not have money, prosecutors say, Washington pistol-whipped the victim causing a fractured nasal cavity and orbital bone. The woman was beaten unconscious and later awoke in the hospital, according to prosecutors in the case.

• Also on Oct. 17, a 27-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were walking on Greenwood Avenue when they were approached by Washington, who allegedly pointed a handgun at them. Prosecutors say the woman was pistol-whipped and sustained injuries to her left eye and a concussion. A cell phone was taken during the robbery, according to prosecutors in the case.

Washington is charged with two counts of murder, related weapons offenses and five counts of armed robbery; his bail was set at $3 million cash. Prosecutors say he is being held on an additional $100,000 cash bail for resisting arrest, criminal trespass and obstructing the administration of law.

Three shot, two dead in separate Wednesday night shootings

Penny Ray — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 09:05:00 -0400

Three people were shot, two of which died, Wednesday evening in two separate incidents that appear to be robberies gone awry.

According to police, around 9:39 p.m. Wednesday, two males were shot at the corner of Rosemont and Hoffman avenues. When police arrived on-scene, they found a man, later identified as 25-year-old Tyshawn Goodman, lying on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Goodman was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. The second victim, a 20-year-old city man, suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and feet, and he was taken to the hospital via a private vehicle. Police say he is currently in stable condition.

Police say the men were in a vehicle headed to a house in the 200 block of Rosemont Avenue. And as they exited the vehicle, they were approached by three black males who attempted to rob them at gunpoint.

On Thursday morning, a resident who has lived on the block for 47 years was cleaning blood off of the sidewalk at the corner of Hoffman and Rosemont. She said firefighters had cleaned up most of the blood, but she was using bleach to finish the job.

"It wasn't like this back in my day,” Barbara said. “They used to box when they had arguments, and everyone would be alright the next day. Me and my neighbors talk all the time about getting out of Trenton. The city's gone downhill. People don't even care about their houses around here; this whole street is awful.”

Another citizen who lives on Rosemont said she was looking out of the window Wednesday night when she suddenly heard five gunshots.

“There was a lot of people running around out here last night,” Charlotte said. “Then, I heard bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. I'm tired of this mess. Everyone has been telling me to move away from here, and that's what I'm gonna do one day soon.”

Front of 18 North Broad Street, where a man was shot and killed. Photo taken July 31, 2014. Trentonian/Penny Ray

The second shooting occurred around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday in front of 18 North Broad Street. Police say 43-year-old George Jamison, of Pennington, was shot once in the back; he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Police say Jamison was sitting on a bus stop bench when a lone black male attempted to rob him at gunpoint. The suspect was seen bicycling away from the crime scene toward East Hanover Street, according to police.

The Trentonian attempted to speak with Jamison's family Thursday morning, but they declined to comment. Their next door neighbors, though, described Jamison as a quiet man who never bothered anyone.

"He was not an outgoing person; he almost never talked," his neighbor Keith Petrie said. "But he seemed to be interested in gardening. He'd go outside and pull weeds and stuff like that."

Petrie said he was surprised to hear that Jamison was dead, but not so surprised to hear that he was murdered in Trenton.

"There are a lot of desperadoes in Trenton who will kill you for your pocket change," Petrie said.

Wednesday's murders bring this year's homicide toll to 23.

Citing the latest two murders, State Senator Shirley Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) believes there is "really a crisis" in the capital city.

"This is even more horrific because you have somebody now who was sitting at a bus stop - an innocent person waiting for a bus - and then they get shot because somebody decided to rob them," Turner said Thursday. "It's bad enough that the gangs are shooting each other, but now innocent people are being shot."

Turner, who did not support the bail reform bills in a special session on Thursday, said immediate action is needed in Trenton.

"What we did today will not help until 2017," Turner said of the bills. "In the meantime, we need some resources to put more police on the streets. The police department is understaffed."

"The criminals now - the people with the illegal guns - are running our cities," she added.

Police say there is no evidence indicating that Wednesday's homicides are related.

The cases are being investigated by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force. Anyone with information is asked to call (609) 989-6406. Or use the Trenton police confidential tip line at (609) 989-3663. Tipsters may also call the Trenton Crime Stoppers tipline at (609) 278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeled TCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.

-Trentonian reporter David Foster contributed to this report.