DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt alerted parties in a homicide case about a juror’s alleged violation of a pre-deliberation instruction Jan. 8, two weeks before the defendant was slated for sentencing.
Reginald Steele, 26, was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in multiple shootings, including the March 1, 2020 fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on the 600 block of S Street, NW.
During the hearing, Judge Brandt said earlier this week she was alerted that a juror posted images of the jury deliberation room, one of which depicted jurors as they started deliberations…