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By
Raina Bonifacio
, Corey Shepherd - January 21, 2025
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman denied a murder defendant’s motions, including an emergency release from jail, during a hearing on Jan. 17.
Corde Fitzhugh, 25, is charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder, five counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of attempted robbery, robbery while armed, and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, for his alleged involvement in the shootings of Muntsier Sharfi, 24, on July 8, 2021 and Zekariya Elmi, 26, on April 25, 2022.
According to court documents Sharfi and Elmi, were intending to meet a potential marijuana buyer. They were shot and killed at the suspected delivery locations, the 3300 block of Erie Avenue, SE and 1200 block of Farragut Place, NE.
During the hearing, Fitzhugh’s attorney, Erin Griffard, highlighted Fitzhugh’s conduct in jail, as she requested he be released pending further proceedings. She said the defendant participated in the Georgetown Prison Scholars Program and received a letter of support from a corporal at the DC jail.
Despite Judge Edelman’s acknowledging Fitzhugh’s efforts, he denied the motion, stating findings noting the seriousness of the offenses. Though he appreciated the defendant’s good conduct, Judge Edelman was not convinced a detention modification would ensure the safety of the community.
In rejecting the defendant’s emergency motion for release based on jail conditions, Judge Edelman considered precedent and practicality. As Judge Edelman noted, “Every prisoner would need to be released” if jail conditions alone could justify it, effectively dismantling the entire pretrial detention system.
Judge Edelman emphasized that these circumstances closely resembled standard grievances about detention conditions rather than an unprecedented emergency. Crucially, the court determined that the appropriate venue for addressing concerns about jail conditions lies in civil litigation, not within criminal proceedings.
Judge Edelman denied both motions.
Parties are slated to reconvene June 13.