Judge denies bond in homicide case

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

A La Plata man charged with shooting and killing the 24-year-old man who was reportedly trying to rob him of drugs and money will be held without bond, a Charles County judge decided at a Wednesday hearing.

Eugene A. Jackson, 29, was arrested Monday in connection with the Nov. 7 slaying of Victor Simon Taylor-Lewis during a dispute at Mattawoman Restaurant in Indian Head, according to police. Two stray bullets fired by Jackson also injured a man who wasn't involved in the argument, police reported.

"I don't think the court has any responsible choice besides holding you without bond," said District Court Judge Kenneth A. Talley at Jackson's bail review hearing Wednesday.

Charles County Assistant State's Attorney Tiffany L. Rodenberger asked the judge to deny Jackson bond in view of the seriousness of his charges, as well as his criminal history and a failure to appear in court.

Jackson claimed that he didn't mean to miss his court date and said there had been a "miscommunication."

"It wasn't like I was trying not to appear," he said.

Jackson has drug possession and marijuana possession charges pending against him in Prince George's County and Charles County courts. He was charged Nov. 13 with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, use of a handgun in a felony or violent crime, second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

According to police, the fight at Mattawoman Restaurant began after Taylor-Lewis, who they believe was armed, walked up to Jackson and another person in the bar's parking lot and tried to steal drugs and money from Jackson.

A witness reported seeing Jackson get out of a car and then hearing gunshots. Although the witness didn't see who fired a gun, the person told police that Jackson was the only person who could have shot Taylor-Lewis.

Two bullets also hit the back of a 23-year-old Lexington Park man who wasn't involved in the disagreement and wasn't affiliated with Jackson or Taylor-Lewis. The Lexington Park man was treated for injuries that weren't life threatening, but Taylor-Lewis, 24, of Alexandria, Va., was pronounced dead at the Fort Washington Medical Center.

Police were called to the Mattawoman Restaurant at about 1:09 a.m. The victims and many other people at the bar had left the establishment's parking lot, and detectives didn't immediately have a suspect description.

However, evidence recovered on the scene and information from several witnesses led police to charge Jackson, according to Diane Richardson, spokeswoman for the Charles County Sheriff's Office.

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