WASHINGTON, D.C. – A D.C. man has been charged with second-degree murder following the deadly stabbing of another inmate inside the Central Detention Facility. Marquise Jones, 26, was taken into custody Tuesday in connection with the May 12 killing of 29-year-old Carlos Shelley.
The announcement was made jointly by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith, underscoring the seriousness of the crime and the ongoing efforts to ensure accountability, even within correctional settings.
Incident Inside D.C. Jail
According to court documents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the incident occurred at the D.C. jail on the 1900 block of D Street, Southeast. Authorities say Jones fatally stabbed Shelley with a knife during what appeared to be a violent altercation. First District officers responded to the report of a stabbing and found Shelley unresponsive.
Despite the efforts of D.C. Fire and EMS, Shelley was pronounced dead at the scene. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch immediately took over the investigation.
Jones, a native of Washington, D.C., has now been formally charged with second-degree murder while armed—a serious felony under District law. Prosecutors allege that he used a knife in the fatal assault, a detail that significantly increases the severity of the charge.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Jones made his initial appearance before Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum, who ordered him held without bond, citing the grave nature of the allegations. The court has scheduled a preliminary hearing for July 2, to be overseen by Judge Todd Edelman.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly K. Smith is leading the prosecution. In her initial statements, she noted that while the investigation remains active, the current evidence supports the murder charge and warrants Jones’ continued detention as the legal process unfolds.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and that all facts surrounding the case will be carefully reviewed at the upcoming hearing.
Broader Concerns About Jail Safety
The incident has raised ongoing concerns about the safety and security of inmates within the D.C. correctional system. Advocates and public officials alike have long pointed to staffing shortages, overcrowding, and contraband smuggling as persistent threats in local jails.
This latest act of violence highlights those systemic issues and renews calls for improved inmate supervision and conflict prevention measures.
While no motive has yet been made public, the deadly confrontation has drawn scrutiny from both watchdog groups and community members seeking transparency and reform.
Continuing Investigation
Authorities have not released further details about the relationship between the two inmates or the events that led to the fatal stabbing. However, investigators are continuing to gather surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence to piece together what transpired on that tragic day.
The MPD has urged anyone with relevant information to contact them as the investigation moves forward.
As the case heads to court, it remains a sobering reminder of the dangers that exist behind bars—and the responsibility of the justice system to address them with fairness, diligence, and oversight.
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