A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to 10 indictment charges involving the death of a toddler before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt in a hearing on April 3.
Charles Rucker, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed against a minor, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, tampering with physical evidence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of three-year-old Honesty Cheadle, on the 1000 block of 14th Street, SE, on July 5, 2025. Cheadle sustained a gunshot wound to her head and succumbed to her injuries on July 7, 2025.
At the hearing, the court arraigned Rucker reading the indictment charges against him. Rachel Cicurel, Rucker’s defense attorney, pleaded not guilty on his behalf and requested that they receive all evidence relating to the case.
The prosecutors informed parties that almost all evidence for the case have been turned over to the defense, besides the DNA results, which are currently being tested. Once they have the results, they will turn them over.
Parties are slated to reconvene on June 26.
