DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz allowed a murder defendant to work on Oct. 3.
Oliver Gomes, 55, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of Thomas Gray, 61, who died after being struck with a wooden plank on Oct. 14, 2022 at the intersection of 11th and L Streets, NW.
According to court records, Gomes has been on release since February. On July 25, his release conditions were modified to allow him to seek employment and visit his mother.
Gomes’ defense attorney, Sara Kopecki, asked Judge Kravitz to further modify his release conditions because he now has a job he wants to attend. Kopecki said he needs the income, as he has been falling behind on rent while in home confinement.
The prosecution opposed this, arguing that Gomes will have to take public transportation to get to and from work, and he has prior incidents involving buses.
Kravitz allowed Gomes to work, but reminded him that he can only travel between home and work and his location will always be monitored.
Kopecki also asked Judge Kravitz to allow Gomes to attend an apprenticeship with the Department of Employment Services (DES), which would have him leave his home for an additional day each week. Judge Kravitz denied this request for now.
“There should be some incremental approach here,” he said.
Gomes also wanted to speak with Judge Kravitz about getting a new attorney. Kravitz told Gomes to tell him the issues he has with his attorneys’ trial prep during the next hearing.
Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 10.
