A murder and conspiracy suspect held elsewhere argued to return to DC for trial before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park in a hearing on April 15.
Tyjuan McNeal, 29, and Niquan Odumn, 24, are charged with conspiracy for their alleged involvement in criminal activity against a rival crew, “Choppa City,” between Feb. 1, 2023, and Jan. 16, 2026.
McNeal is charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of felony murder while armed, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in the disappearance of 25-year-old Chyna Crawford, who was last seen on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, NW, on Oct. 23, 2023. Prosecutors said Crawford went missing on Oct. 24, 2023.
McNeal and Odumn are additionally charged with tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in incidents that occurred citywide between May and December 2023.
McNeal is charged with his alleged involvement in a series of carjackings that occurred across Northwest DC between Oct. 15 and Nov. 1, 2023.
McNeal is also charged for his alleged involvement in a series of armed robberies that occurred citywide between Feb. 15, 2023 and April 6, 2023.
Both McNeal and Odumn face charges for their alleged involvement in a robbery on the 1000 block of 15th Street, NW on May 22, 2023.
Both McNeal and Odumn are also charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and other charges for events that occurred between May and June 2023.
Lashawn Washington, 34, Bjarni Cooper, 31, and Deionta Person, 28, are also charged with conspiracy, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in related incidents.
Andrew Ain, McNeal’s attorney, stated that his client wished to assert his rights under the Interstate Agreement on Detainers (IAD). The IAD allows defendants serving a sentence in a different jurisdiction where currently charged to go to trial within 180 days of the prosecution’s receiving the defendant’s transfer request. It also allows the defendant to be temporarily held in the jurisdiction where they’re charged.
In practice, an IAD puts pressure on the prosecution to bring a case to trial in a timely manner and avoid moving defendants from one jurisdiction to another.
According to court documents, the prosecution stated that McNeal did not qualify for the IAD because the defense didn’t file a detainer requesting to hold him in DC. As a result, the prosecution argued McNeal could not assert his rights. They also stated that even if Judge Park found that McNeal did qualify, there was good cause for the trial date to remain on Feb. 1, 2028, not sooner.
The prosecution also said it was unclear whether DC Jail had space to hold McNeal. Ain requested a nominal bond to hold his client at the jail to maintain access to his client, but the prosecution opposed it, arguing McNeal would need to waive his IAD rights to remain in DC.
Judge Park suggested revisiting the issue to consider a partial waiver, and the parties agreed to return on April 21.
Wole Falodun, Odumn’s attorney, said his client wished to waive his rights under the IAD and remain in custody in DC.
Judge Park explained to Odumn what it would mean to waive his IAD right and asked whether he still wished to do so. Odumn agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial in order to be held at the DC Jail.
Judge Park set a bond so Odumn would remain held in DC, but warned Odumn that if the DC Jail could not house him, he would be returned to the jurisdiction where he was previously held.
All parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 16.
