Five Teen Girls Accused of Murder Make First Joint Court Appearance

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Five juvenile girls accused of murder appeared in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs on July 26 in a courtroom crowded with US Marshals, probation officials and the suspects’ family members.

Judge Briggs ordered that all the girls should remain in custody at the DC Youth Services Center (YSC) pending trial. It is currently scheduled to begin on Aug. 20, though the judge acknowledged it would be a “tight window” given the complexity of the case.

All the adolescents, 12-to-15 years old, have pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy as well as other counts, in the death of 64-year-old Reggie Brown. The severely disabled man was allegedly stomped to death, say prosecutors, by the teens on Oct. 17, 2023 in a dark alley near the 6200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW,

Three of the juveniles were arrested in March. Their trial date is set. The other two, 13-and-15 years old, appeared in court for the first time on July 19 when DC Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones found probable cause they conspired to commit the crime.

That hearing was punctuated by violence shortly after prosecutors played a 55-second cell phone video which they say depicts the defendants repeatedly kicking Brown as he lay defenseless on the ground. The girls, say the prosecution, appear to be celebrating and laughing during the assault.

As testimony continued, the 13-year-old engaged in a spontaneous fistfight with a US Marshal. The defendant was subdued with the help of other security personnel who removed her screaming from the courtroom.

On July 26, at least six US Marshals were arrayed strategically around the courtroom as a precaution; however no disruptions occurred.

As the hearing ended, the judge imposed a protective order for prosecution witnesses, admonished the defendants against discussing the case and imposed a stay away order forbidding the three original defendants from contacting the other two at the YSC.

“Are we clear?” said Judge Briggs.

The next hearing in the case for the newest two defendants is scheduled for Aug. 1.