A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to all arraignment charges before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on June 2.
Morris Stokes, 71, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed. The charges arise from his alleged involvement in the stabbing of 70-year-old Maurice Rowe, who died from blunt force trauma following an assault on Aug. 21, 2024, on the 1400 block of Downing St, NE.
Stoke’s attorneys, Derrick Page and Gemma Stevens, alerted the court that Stokes intended to plead not guilty to all charges and asserted his constitutional rights.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on June 23.
