Two teens, 16 and 18, arrested in capital murder case

30-year-old Jeremy Washington was shot and killed on March 14, 2019 at an apartment complex in the 12600 block of South Green Drive, Houston police said. 30-year-old Jeremy Washington was shot and killed on March 14, 2019 at an apartment complex in the 12600 block of South Green Drive, Houston police said. Photo: Courtesy Photo: Courtesy Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Two teens, 16 and 18, arrested in capital murder case 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Two teens, including one already behind bars at the Harris County Jail for bail jumping, have been charged with capital murder in the March shooting death of a man, according to police and court records.

Darrell Ellsworth, 18, and an unidentified 16-year-old were charged with capital murder on Thursday, records show. The two are accused of killing 30-year-old Jeremy Washington on March 14 at an apartment complex in the 12600 block of South Green Drive, Houston police said.

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A witness heard a gunshot and found Washington mortally wounded in the grass outside the apartment building, according to authorities.

The fatal shooting happened after Ellsworth was freed on a $10,000 bond in December. He was charged with robbery in May 2018. A warrant was issued for his arrest on April 17 of this year after he failed to appear in court for the robbery case. He was taken into custody the following day and additionally charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and in connection with possessing meth.

The charge for unauthorized use of a vehicle was filed less than a week before Ellsworth missed his court date, records show.

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During the robbery case, Ellsworth penned a letter in October pleading with Judge Randy Roll to release him, either on a personal recognizance bond or probation, according to court documents. The teen maintained he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Please find the kindness in (your) heart to do the right thing for this case," Ellsworth said. "I need to be released. I'm 17. I attend for G.E.D. in the free world and help my mother because she has medical issues."

Ellsworth is expected on Monday to return to court.

The younger teen apprehended in the capital murder case will be referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation, police said.

nicole.hensley@chron.com