A homicide defendant will now have a separate trial date from her son after DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt granted a motion to sever during a Nov. 7 hearing.
Violet Davenport, 55, and her son, William Davenport, 33, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Leonard Turner. The incident occurred near a shelter on the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW, on May 14, 2021.
During the hearing, Judge Brandt notified the court that Violet’s attorneys, Carrie Weletz and Camille Wagner, filed a motion to sever her case from her son’s. The prosecution had no opposition and Judge Brandt granted the motion.
The court will decide Violet’s trial date during a March hearing after her son’s trial is complete. Wagner argued that Violet’s case will develop after her son’s trial and that it would be best to wait to schedule a trial.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 6.
