Tierra Posey and Tia Carey fight in this grainy video screen grab just before Posey shot Carey.

In a verdict that is more notable for where it occurred—Washington, DC—more so than why it occurred—a justifiable self-defense claim, Tierra Posey, a 24-year-old woman, was acquitted of all charges related to fatally shooting another woman during a fight in 2020. The acquittal came after a week-long trial in DC Superior Court, as reported by DC Witness.

The case centered around the events of January 6, 2020, at a gas station on the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, Washington, DC, where 21-year-old Tia Carey was fatally shot. Posey faced charges of second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business. The core of the defense’s argument was that Posey acted in self-defense during an altercation with Carey.

Both the defense and prosecution acknowledged, based on video surveillance evidence, that Carey was the initial aggressor in the confrontation. The prosecution, however, contended that Posey had the opportunity to retreat from the situation and therefore, her decision to use a firearm was not justified. This perspective was summarized in their questioning of whether deadly force was necessary to repel Carey, to which they answered negatively, suggesting Carey confronted Posey after finding her with Carey’s boyfriend.

Despite presenting video surveillance footage and eyewitness testimonies, including those from the victim’s sister, boyfriend and niece, the prosecution faced challenges. Notably, Carey’s boyfriend was hesitant in his responses to many questions, and other witnesses provided conflicting accounts of the events leading up to the shooting. The discrepancies included whether Carey had intentionally sought out Posey or encountered her by chance.

The defense highlighted these inconsistencies and further introduced evidence of Carey’s history of domestic violence arrests. Additionally, they brought forward an independent eyewitness who testified to hearing Carey make threatening statements towards Posey during the altercation, although they could not recall the exact words.

In a compelling testimony, Posey recounted her own experience of the event, framing it within her broader experiences with gun violence. She described how she felt her life was threatened during the altercation with Carey, leading her to defend herself with the firearm.

After less than a day of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict acquitting Posey of all charges. The decision allows her to continue her life in the community, marking the end of a legal battle rooted in a tragic event. Washington, DC, is one of the least gun-friendly cities in the nation, with a duty to retreat rather than stand your ground laws in place and juries that seldom go for acquittal even in self-defense when a firearm is involved.

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20 COMMENTS

  1. The best reaction to a potentially deadly situation is to not be at the site of the situation. No interpersonal argument can be resolved by shouting and intimidation; continued antagonism is the only possible outcome. Someone once wrote, “obedience is superior to sacrifice”. When it comes to self-defense, avoidance is superior to firepower. The current culture in America is, “I have rights, you don’t. No one is empowered to limit my actions.”

    The above notwithstanding, “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet”.
    – – Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis (USMC, ret.)

    • “The current culture in America is, “I have rights, you don’t. No one is empowered to limit my actions.””

      Well, the current Woke culture, certainly. No little peon Wrong Thinkers who don’t agree with me politically have rights!

      On the Right, it’s more like the classic “Your right to swing your fist ends at my nose.”

      (Well, “on the way to my nose” would be more accurate. Obvious trajectory is sufficient, no need to actually TAKE the blow first, though people often do.)

      • “Mattis was a traitor. Do you think our military became dysfunctional by accident?”

        Good advice remains good advice, regardless of the character/failings of the person giving the advice. “An armed society is a polite society.” is considered a legitimate observation from an entirely fictional person. “It is not the count of votes that matters, but the person doing the counting” is oft attributed toIosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili; he was and is correct, but an utter clod.

  2. Be prepared to defend yourself…….twice.
    And stay out of D.C. and the other states that do not respect your right of self defense.

  4. remember the vw ad “…it’ll float, definitely. but not indefinitely.”
    without a doubt girl fights were the best. and handfuls of wig and extensions were the peak of those.

  5. After 4 years and a jury trial the prosecution’s permit needed for this and that flew out the window and self defense stood as it should. It is a victory for self defense…Unless you are a pasty mouth bigot who can’t help stinking up this forum and The Second Amendment.

    • It’s a victory for self-defense, but those victories are very expensive to win. She lost four years of her life, is most likely a financial train wreck. But she’s not going to prison for the rest of her life.

      I carry a gun. Have for 35+ years, and never leave home without it. That said, I make sure I know self-defense law, AND the prosecutors in every jurisdiction I set foot in. I also have an excellent self-defense insurance policy through ccwsafe.com. It’s the best $16 I spend every month.

      • How many cases has CCW represented and won for those who pay for that representation? That is an important factor to consider and with most such “firms” the answer is either zero or non-disclosed.

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