'He's always been a good guy' | Witnesses defend character of former DC government employee charged with killing 13-year-old Karon Blake

Jason Lewis, 42, faces a charge of second-degree murder while armed for the Jan. 7, 2023 killing of Karon Blake. He told investigators he heard people breaking into cars outside of his home on the 1000 block of Quincy Street Northeast. His lawyers argue that Lewis fired in self-defense when he saw someone dressed in black running toward him.

The defense presented four witnesses, including a current D.C. Police officer and three people who knew Lewis when he worked for the District's Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).

Daniel Bradley who works for the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office as a juvenile diversion coordinator was among the witnesses. 

"He's always been an honest guy to me. He's always been a good guy. He's a friend of the family, and I showed up today to support him, so I basically told them that's what his reputation is," Bradley told WUSA9.

A mother whose children formerly attended the Trinidad DPR Center said Lewis was always known for "de-escalating conflicts" among the children and teenagers. Lewis' colleague at the same recreation center said they worked hand in hand developing youth programming that included gun violence prevention.

During cross-examination, the prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office questioned the witnesses' characterization of Lewis who is seen in surveillance video shooting at Blake.

On Thursday prosecutors continued with a series of experts including Forensic Pathologist Dr. Kimberly Golden who conducted the autopsy on Blake. The jurors were shown graphic photos of Blake's body that show the teen was shot in the left arm and left hip. 

Lewis's lawyer argues that someone fired outside the home before their client shot Blake. 

On Tuesday a neighbor told jurors he heard at least five gunshots before police arrived on scene. 

D.C. Police Sergeant Jonathan Foote also took the stand and walked jurors through body-worn camera footage. Foote was among the officers who responded to the scene the morning of the shooting. During questioning, Foote told the jury that the only shell casings he saw at the scene belonged to the firearm used by Lewis. 

Investigators found three shell casings corresponding to the gun used by Lewis. 

The trial is set to continue next week with closing arguments also coming as soon as next week.