Shooting Case Delayed Due to Attorney’s Late Appearance

By Maggie Rhoads [former] - July 10, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

A shooting defendant’s case was delayed due to her attorney forgetting about a hearing regarding discussions on a motion for release and a plea offer in front of DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on July 8.

Angela Milhouse, 59, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, endangerment with a firearm, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, simple assault, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and destruction of property, for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred on Oct. 6, 2023, on the 5000 block of Astor Place, SE. No injuries were reported.

Milhouse’s defense attorney, Ferguson Evans, who showed up hours after the hearing was slated to begin, said he forgot about the hearing and his assistant failed to remind him. 

According to Hertzfeld, this is not the first time Evans has caused a delay in a client’s case due to his inability to keep track of his schedule. 

Judge Hertzfeld admonished Evans, stating he should remember to check his email, as her staff works “hard” to send out a daily calendar to all the defense attorneys scheduled to be in her courtroom.

Despite the attorneys tardiness, Judge Hertzfeld discussed Evans’ motion to release Milhouse. 

According to court documents, Milhouse allegedly fired into an apartment unit of the victim and her finance. The shooting caused the sliding glass door on the balcony to shatter, but no injuries were reported. 

In the motion, filed by Evans on June 24, he requested Judge Hertzfeld release Milhouse from jail on home confinement, citing her lack of a criminal history, despite two misdemeanor cases in the 1990s and 2000s. Evans also discussed her history of employment, stating her 15 year tenure at the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) “demonstrates the ties and commitment Ms. Milhouse has to Washington, DC.”

Judge Hertzfeld denied the request for release.

According to Evans, Milhouse also expressed interest in discussing a plea offer extended by the prosecution, but he has not had sufficient time to review it with her. He requested a continuance. 

Parties are set to reconvene on July 12.