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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- June 25, 2018
Court
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Homicides
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Suspects
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During an arraignment, a D.C. Superior Court judge refused to release a teenager who was arrested for murder on June 21.
Eric Maurice Smith,19, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for the shooting death of Rondell Wills on the 200 block of 50th Street, NE. Wills’ death was the result of a drive-by shooting. He was not the intended target. According to WJLA, Wills, 38, died while he tried to protect children when the shooting occurred.
Pierce Suen, Smith’s attorney, told the judge that there was one witness and the whole case lacked evidence that implicates his client. Citing court documents, Suen said the main witness didn’t know who or what they saw.
The prosecution said there was another witness who gave a partial license plate number that matched a stolen car used in the drive-by. Smith’s fingerprints were on the steering wheel of the car. Surveillance footage also captured a person who resembled Smith in the car.
According to Suen, the car was stolen a week before the murder, so Smith’s prints could have been left before the drive-by occurred.
Suen requested Smith’s release because the teenager was enrolled in school and had no prior felonies.
Despite Suen’s argument that there was no substantial evidence against his client, D.C. Magistrate Judge Errol Arthur denied Smith’s release. He is being held without bond.
Smith is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 2.