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D.C. Witness Staff
- February 24, 2020
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A judge denied a defense motion for a bond to be send for a murder defendant during a preliminary hearing.
Kemonte Martin, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the allegedly shooting 17-year-old Eric Mercer on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE in November of 2019. Martin is a resident of Northeast, DC.
DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck temporarily denied the defense’s motion for bond as the preliminary hearing was still ongoing. Judge Beck said the motion would be reconsidered at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, which she expects will end on Feb. 25.
Martin’s defense attorney, Jeffrey Stein, argued the possibility of bond would be significant given the impact on Martin’s immediate living situation.
The lead detective on the case identified Martin in court and testified on security camera footage that placed Martin at the crime scene.
The detective is slated to continue testimony on Feb. 25 when the preliminary hearing is scheduled to resume.
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