DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan dismissed a shooting defendant’s case after denying the prosecution’s request for an indictment extension on July 10.
Darrion Blake, 28, was charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 44-year-old Denard Orlando Hartwell, which took place on Aug. 18, 2018, on the 4400 block of Livingston Road, SE.
Judge Ryan denied the prosecution’s request for an indictment extension of three weeks – the original indictment deadline was July 10. The prosecution requested an extension because the lead detective had just undergone back surgery and would not be able to testify before the grand jury until August.
However, Blake’s attorney, Errin Scialpi, argued that the homicide occurred in 2018, but Blake was not arrested until 2024. Scialpi also stated that keeping the case open impacts Blake’s career as he has been in home confinement for the past eight months. The prosecution had nine months to file the indictment, from the time the detective testified in October of 2024 until now.
In DC, most cases must be indicted within 90 days except for the most serious offenses.
Judge Ryan ultimately found that there was no cause to extend the indictment deadline and dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled based on prosecutorial discretion.
No further dates were set.
