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By
Brigette Bagley
- March 11, 2025
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz ordered a defense attorney to visit his client in person after having to reschedule a status hearing for the fourth time due to the defendant’s failure to appear in court on March 7.
Erin Sheffey, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Kwiyon Maddox, 32, on Aug. 15, 2021, on the 2100 block of 16th Street, SE.
During the hearing, a US Marshal alerted Judge Kravitz that Sheffey refused to get off the transport bus from the DC Jail after claiming he wasn’t feeling well. This is the fourth time since January that the defendant has refused to take part in a proceeding.
The prosecution explained to Judge Kravitz that this hearing would involve plea negotiations and that they would revoke any plea offers if Sheffey refused to appear again. The prosecutor then requested that the judge order US Marshals to use force if he continues to refuse to get off the bus.
Judge Kravitz refused, stating he didn’t believe any extra force was necessary, as it “seems like something else is going on.” He then offered to go and speak to Sheffey himself if the bus was still at the courthouse, but the courtroom clerk informed him it was too late.
Sheffey’s defense attorney, Peter Cooper, said he would visit Sheffey in the next two weeks to “figure out next steps.”
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 28.