Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

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On Sept. 8,  a homicide defendant was arraigned before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Darryl Little, 29, is charged with conspiracy, four counts of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, and assault with significant bodily injury while armed, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Albert Smith, 21. The incident occurred on June 14, 2020, on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE. 

Little is one of five co-defendants charged in connection to the incident including, 36-year-old Marcel Gavin, 33-year-old Johnny Wilkins, 31-year-old Earl Robinson, and 24-year-old Kharee Jackson

On Aug. 14, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein issued a warrant for Little’s arrest. 

Little’s defense attorney Matthew Graves argued that Little was not a direct participant in the attack but merely present. However, Judge O’Keefe reminded him that a grand jury found sufficient evidence to indict him for murder. A large portion of the attack was captured by security cameras around the area. 

Little is being held at the DC Jail awaiting trial. All defendants, including Little, pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial is set to begin May 12, 2025.