DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz is considering whether to release a non-fatal shooting defendant after she waived her right to a preliminary hearing on Oct. 6.
Meyona Rorie, 25, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault while armed for the non-fatal shooting of a victim on Aug. 20, at the 3600 block of Ames Street, NE. Though she is not accused of pulling the trigger, prosecutors say she instigated someone else to commit the crime.
According to court documents, the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the arm, and told a family member, “Mimi got me shot.”
During the hearing, defense attorney Michael Lawlor alerted Judge Kravitz of Rorie’s intent to waive her preliminary hearing of the evidence against her.
Lawlor also argued for Rorie’s release from pre-trial detention, proposing electronic monitoring and confinement at her mother’s residence.
According to Lawlor, Rorie is a single mother of two children, employed, and currently in school. She has a clean record and her family was in the courtroom as a show of support.
Lawlor insisted she would not be a danger to the community, claiming she didn’t shoot and could only be charged as an aider and abetter.
The prosecutor argued that release should be denied due to the serious nature of the crime. She argued that aiding and abetting carries the same burden of guilt as the person who pulled the trigger.
Additionally, the prosecution expressed concern about Rorie’s “escalation” of violence for someone who doesn’t have a past history.
Furthermore, the prosecution claimed, the shooter has not been identified and Rorie’s release could compromise the ongoing investigation.
Judge Kravitz stated he was taking the request for release under submission. He ordered written statements about the strength of the evidence by Oct. 10.
Parties are set to reconvene Oct. 10.
