After prosecutors missed the deadline to indict a murder defendant, the defense requested DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park dismiss the case on Jan. 22.
Josiah Garrison, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Taeje Butler on April 9, 2025 on the 3500 block of 6th Street, SE. Butler sustained one gunshot to his head.
Christen Philips, Garrison’s attorney, motioned to dismiss the case because the prosecution filed an indictment after the nine month deadline. Philips said that the deadline exists for a reason and since the prosecution did not act within the appropriate timeline, the case should be dismissed. Initial charges were filed against Garrison on April 10, 2025 and prosecutors failed to meet the deadline on Jan. 10, filing an indictment on Jan. 21.
Judge Park delayed his decision on Philips’ request to dismiss the case to allow the assigned prosecutor, who was not present at the hearing, time to respond.
Philips also requested that Judge Park lift Garrison’s pre-trial release condition of home confinement because of his good compliance, but Judge Park also reserved his decision for this matter until the next hearing.
Parties are set to reconvene on Feb. 2.
