The case of a former NASA executive charged with killing Springfield’s neighbor goes before the jury

A jury from Fairfax County, Virginia, will resume deliberations Thursday in the first degree murder trial of Michael Hetle, 54, of Springfield, a former NASA executive who worked at NASA DC headquarters and previously with the Department of Homeland Security.

Hetle is charged with the death of his neighbor Javon Prather, 24, who served in the Maryland National Guard.

In Wednesday’s closing arguments, Assistant Commonwealth attorney Lyle Burnham urged the jury to rule the case on the basis of facts and evidence – video from the defendant’s own ring doorbell camera showing Prather walking out of his neighboring house and knocks on Hetle’s door. The video shows Hetle opening the door without a word and with a shot of gunshots.

Hetle and Prather had simmering disputes since 2016, with Hetle repeatedly complaining about barking dogs and loud music and calling the police. Prosecutors argued that Hetle’s anger exploded in the March 3, 2020 murder.

George Freeman, Hetle’s defense attorney, told the jury in his closing statement that Hetle Prather shot in self-defense and that he was defending his home and family from someone he believed to be a violent person. Freeman also said that Hetle did not know Prather was unarmed and pointed to testimonies suggesting neighbors viewed Prather as aggressive and violent.

However, the jury was left with a video showing Prather’s short walk, knocking, and killing.

Burnham said the video revealed a cold-blooded execution – four shots at close range, two in the back as Prather tumbled down the small flight of stairs, and then a seventh shot when Prather lay helpless in the driveway.

Prather family members said they had been warned by the Commonwealth Prosecutor that the prosecutor would open up his closing argument by showing the dramatic video of the deadly shooting to the jury and the courtroom. But a family friend, surprised by the shocking video, gasped and dissolved into sobs and tears, forcing the judge to order a brief pause before the closing arguments could resume.

Because of COVID-19, everyone in the courtroom was masked for the trial, and 12 jurors and two proxies sat 6 feet apart in plexiglass partitions. The judge and lawyers on both sides were also shielded with plexiglass.

The jury conducts its deliberations in the spacious, locked courtroom instead of in the narrower rooms of the jury room.

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