DC Superior Court Judge Micheal Ryan allowed a homicide defendant’s release conditions to be changed from home confinement to a curfew on Nov. 7.
Dwayne Brooks, 26, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and attempted robbery while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Juwaan Henry, which occurred on Aug. 25, 2022 on the 800 block of 7th Street, NW.
During the hearing, Brooks’ trial date was set for Nov. 30, 2026. Megan Allburn, Brooks’ defense attorney, also requested that his release conditions be revised from home confinement to a set curfew with GPS monitoring given his “near flawless” compliance with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) thus far.
Allburn also noted that Brooks is the custodial parent for his sister, and is currently employed.
The prosecution argued that the attempted robbery, which was captured on video surveillance, occurred at dusk on a busy pedestrian street, and that Brooks’ had already been given special parameters to meet the needs of his employer and sister.
Henry’s mother was present via WebEX and addressed Judge Ryan. “It is very unfair to see what is going on and that my son is not here to be with his family,” she said.
Allburn stated that the video footage of the incident shows Henry holding a firearm, and that the center of Brooks’ argument stems from acting in self-defense. Allburn also noted that the last infraction on Brooks’ record occurred following an approved haircut, where Brooks stopped on the way home to buy a pizza.
Judge Ryan congratulated Brooks for his compliance record thus far with PSA, and granted his request for a curfew from 6 a. m.-to-6 p. m. based on work and family obligations.
Parties are slated to convene on Nov. 2, 2026.
