Judge Extends Response Deadline For MOtion to Dismiss in A Homicide

By Natalie Note - October 10, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan agreed to extend the prosecution’s deadline to respond to a homicide defendant’s motion to dismiss his case on Oct. 9.

Michael Sanders, 30, and Darnell Resper, 31, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, attempt to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict. Additionally, Resper is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. 

These counts stem from their alleged involvement in a shooting that resulted in the death of 30-year-old Youness Zarouaki and the injury of another individual at a row home on the 1000 block of Thomas Jefferson Street, NW on Feb. 18, 2022. 

According to court documents, Sanders and Resper allegedly entered the home while Zarouaki was hosting a “marijuana party” and demanded drugs and personal property from the individuals present while pointing guns at them. Sanders allegedly fired, fatally shooting Zarouaki in the neck and wounding another individual. 

On Oct. 1, Kevin Robertson, Sanders’ attorney, filed a motion for Sanders’ case to be dismissed with prejudice. Originally, the prosecution had a deadline of Oct. 16 to respond to the motion but at the Oct. 9 hearing, Judge Raffinan approved a request to extend that deadline. The prosecution now has until Nov. 1 to respond.

The prosecution also informed the court that interview transcripts and a plea offer would be provided to both defendants by the end of the week. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 19.