DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied releasing a homicide defendant who argued that a related Maryland case tied to his arrest had been dismissed on March 6.
Alonzo Brown, 29, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Michael Taylor, 21, on Jan. 12, 2019 on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.
According to court documents, investigators reportedly identified Brown as a suspect through a photo identification procedure, and evidence recovered during searches included ammunition and firearm-related items linked to the homicide investigation.
At the hearing, Brown’s attorney, Steven Kiersh, argued that Judge Park should not consider Brown’s arrest in Maryland because the case was dismissed after a judge ruled the pat down that led to the firearm recovery violated the Fourth Amendment protection against illegal search and seizure.
Kiersh likened the dismissal to a “not guilty” verdict and said Brown already spent approximately four years detained because of that arrest. He also argued Brown was previously on release in the DC case without significant issues complying with release conditions. However, Judge Park noted Brown had problems meeting curfew requirements.
The prosecution opposed the release motion. Prosecutors argued that Brown was not fully compliant while on release and emphasized that he was allegedly rrested in Maryland with a firearm while facing a homicide case in DC.
They also cited the seriousness of the homicide charges and argued that no combination of release conditions would sufficiently protect the community.
Judge Park denied the motion for release. He stated that probable cause had been found for the Maryland case before its dismissal and said the material evidence remained the same. Brown allegedly possessed a firearm while on release in a homicide case, even though the Maryland case was later dismissed, said the judge.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 27.
