Judge Releases Juvenile Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 29, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a felony status conference Jan. 28, a judge agreed to release a murder suspect on the condition that he continues to wear a GPS ankle monitoring device.

J’Whan Simpson is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Domonique Franklin, 16, on the 200 block of M Street., SW, on Aug. 30, 2019. Simpson is being tried as an adult.

She also said that if he failed to comply with his release conditions, which also include keeping the battery charged on his monitor, he would be sent back to jail. 

Simpson’s attorney,  Rachel Cicurel, asked DC Superior Court Judge Juliet J. McKenna  to allow Simpson, 17, to be released from jail after his return from Virginia. She pointed out that Simpson has complied with the rules regarding his current home arrest.

“He hasn’t left the house when he wasn’t supposed to; he keeps it fully charged,” she said. 

Simpson is also wanted on larceny charges in Virginia. He is being transported there on Jan. 30.

His attorney said she believes that because his charges in Virginia were not violent in nature, his pending murder charge in DC will take priority and he will be transported back to the district. 

The prosecution argued that Simpson’s charges make him a danger to society and also a flight risk. 

Another felony status conference is scheduled to occur on Jan. 31.

This article was written by MiriYam Judd