Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty, Requests Trial Date

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 14, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A murder defendant pleaded not guilty Nov. 14 to any connection with the death of man in Southeast, DC.

Elhadji Babacar Ndiaye is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 21-year-old Travis Deyvon Ruth on the 2700 block of Jasper Street, SE in January. According to court documents, Ruth was shot nine times with a majority of the wounds in his back.

The defense also submitted a request for discovery. 

Ndiaye, 20, is also charged with robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence and destruction of property.

The prosecutor said that some discovery had already been submitted, but she was waiting on a protective order to be approved to submit the rest. 

Ndiaye’s defense attorney, Roderick Thompson, said he received the order late and needed some time to go over it. 

In response DC Superior Judge Todd Edelman set a status hearing to make sure evidence was being given to the defense. The status hearing is set on Jan. 31, 2020. 

Thompson also requested that a trial date be set. The trial is expected to begin on Sept. 29, 2020. The prosecution has not offered Ndaye a plea deal in the case as of Nov. 14.