A homicide defendant addressed concerns and frustration about past rulings and unaddressed motions on Nov. 21, before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park.
Deonte Spicer, 39, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Tyvez Monroe, 27, on Dec. 26, 2023, on the 600 block of Maryland Avenue, SW.
Defense attorneys Sara Kopecki and Janai Reed, who previously represented Spicer, were permitted to withdraw from the case, with only Kopecki present for the hearing. Judge Park appointed Daniel Dorsey as Spicer’s new attorney. The prosecution noted that this is the fifth time Spicer has been assigned new counsel.
At the start of the hearing, Spicer asked to speak directly with the judge. Judge Park allowed him to raise his concerns. Spicer questioned the finding of probable cause from an earlier hearing, asserting that he spent a year in jail “when [he] could have been home.” He also alleged that motions previously filed at the preliminary stage were not handled properly, stating that Kopecki was expected to refile them but never did.
Judge Park told Spicer that Dorsey could refile any necessary motions and that the court would review his concerns once those filings were submitted.
Spicer also said he was confused about the cancellation of his trial date, which had been scheduled for February 2026. The judge said he did not know the reason but encouraged Spicer to remain patient as his newly appointed counsel became familiar with the case.
The prosecution requested that the trial date, which was scheduled for July of 2026, be moved earlier, estimating the trial would last about one week. Both the defense and the judge agreed to adjust the schedule, with new dates to be set after Dorsay reviews the case file.
The parties are slated to reconvene on Dec. 19.
