DC Superior Court Jennifer Di Toro denied a shooting defendant’s request for release on Sep. 2.
Cornell Smith, 22, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE, on Aug. 24. Smith allegedly shot one victim in the leg during the incident.
Counsel for Smith, Sean McCliggott, requested Smith be released, arguing that Smith was not found with a gun and was compliant with law enforcement once he was caught.
Additionally, McCliggott pointed out that the initial description of the shooter sent out on the radio differed from Smith’s characteristics and the shooter’s clothes.
The prosecution argued against Smith’s release, noting that despite discrepancies in police descriptions, GPS monitoring put Smith at the scene of the shooting. Moreover, the prosecution argued that at the time of the shooting, Smith had already violated multiple terms of his release conditions. Judge Di Toro denied Smith’s request for release.
The parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 16.
