Charges Upgraded and Trial Delayed for Juvenile Murder Defendant

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On Nov. 1, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld granted motions filed by parties in connection to a homicide that involved a juvenile victim and defendant.

The defendant, a 16-year-old female, was originally charged with second-degree murder for her alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Naima Liggon, 16, on Aug. 27. The incident occurred outside a McDonald’s restaurant on the 1900 block of 14th Street, NW.

During the Nov. 1 hearing, Judge Hertzfeld granted the prosecutor’s motion to amend the charge and upgrade it to first-degree murder while armed, which was filed at a previous hearing and opposed by defense attorneys.

Judge Hertzfeld also granted the defense’s motion to delay the trial date, in which they argued they can not be ready for the previously scheduled Nov. 13 trial date since Liggon’s autopsy and hospital records aren’t yet unavailable.

Prosecutors stated they should be receiving the autopsy by Nov. 3 and the hospital records by Nov. 13, but defense attorneys argued they could not accurately prepare their self-defense case without having access to both reports.

Defense attorneys also requested the defendant be released from the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’ (DYRS) Youth Services Center (YSC), arguing the defendant does not have a criminal record, has been doing well in the detention center, and the confrontation was a response to her being attacked by Liggon and another unnamed individual.

According to the defense attorney, the defendant is restricted at YSC and is a “tiny, tiny human being,” who has substantial support from her family.

Prosecutors opposed the motion for release, stating that, although it is her first alleged offense, between the Sept. 27 hearing and this hearing, she reportedly got into an altercation at YSC with another detainee who was discussing her charges with other juveniles.

Prosecutors stated they’re worried she’ll react similarly to people in the community, and insisted the public would not be safe if she is released.

A representative from the Court’s Social Services stated that, although she’s doing well in YSC, they believe she should continue to be detained due to the nature of the charges.

Judge Hertzfeld agreed with prosecutors and Social Services, and ordered the juvenile continue held as she awaits further proceedings.

Parties are expected back for a suppression hearing on Nov. 13.