DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park approved a request to transfer a homicide defendant back to the District and hold him at the DC Jail on Nov. 21.
John Wilkins, 36, Marcel Gavin, 38, Darryl Little, 32, Kharee Jackson, 32, and Earl Robinson, 33, are charged with three counts of first-degree murder while armed, premeditated first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, three counts of robbery while armed, nine counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and conspiracy. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in a mass shooting that resulted in the death of 21-year-old Albert Smith, Jr., a Tennessee rap artist, on June 14, 2020 on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE. Another individual sustained injuries during the incident.
Kevin Irving, representing Robinson, requested that Robinson be returned to the District and held specifically at the DC Jail, noting concerns that he would otherwise be housed “in the Northern Neck” jail in Virginia. Judge Park granted the request.
Sara Kopecki, representing Jackson, and Bernadette Armand, representing Wilkins, told the court that their clients have struggled to access a computer at the jail, despite having permission to do so. Judge Park acknowledged the resource limitations at the DC Department of Corrections (DoC) and said he would contact DoC officials to attempt to secure guaranteed laptop access for the defendants.
The court confirmed that trial for Robinson, Jackson, and related co-defendants will begin Aug. 17, 2026, and is expected to run through approximately Sept. 18, 2026. The prosecution estimated the trial would take six weeks to encompass all cases, and the defense agreed.
The parties are slated to reconvene on June 24, 2026.
