One of two shooting co-defendants was granted release by DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on July 2.
Tyjuan Liggins, 29, and Deontae “a.k.a. Baby D” Nolan, 18, are charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, four counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, four counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, four counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, two counts of endangerment with a firearm multiple projectiles, two counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm, and eight counts of destruction of property less than $1000.
Liggins is additionally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, and Nolan is facing two counts of destruction of property of $1000 or more for their alleged involvement in the same incident.
These charges stem from the pair’s alleged involvement in a shooting on the 1200 block of I Street, SE, on Jan. 11.
According to the police report, there were at least 13 shots in the parking lot area, and surveillance footage shows Liggins exchanging fire with occupants of a white Mercedes at the intersection of 12th and I Streets, SE. There were no reports of injuries in the incident.
The judge asked whether both parties were ready to proceed to trial, and the prosecution said it intended to move forward without calling a complaining witness. Nolan’s attorney, Diana Yu, argued the decision favored the prosecution because the witness was central to the case and a potential self-defense claim.
Yu asserted that the shell casings at the crime scene suggested Liggins and Nolan were shot at first by the victim, and the prosecution failed to turn over information regarding the victim’s barring notice from the location. The notice was in effect at the time, indicating the victim was unlawfully present.
“The prosecutors don’t have an excuse not to turn things over,” said Yu.
The prosecution contended they didn’t have an obligation to find and turn over the notice, citing the victim’s rolled-up windows as evidence he didn’t fire any shots. Yu countered that motive was a key issue for the jury to consider and that the victim’s testimony was relevant to establishing the reason for the crime..
Yu also claimed that she had recently received cell phone extractions of Instagram messages and didn’t have enough time to review them. She requested Nolan’s release and dismissal of the indictment due to the prosecution’s “gross negligence” in preparing for the upcoming trial.
Judge Pipe agreed that Nolan’s right to a speedy trial had been violated and allowed his release. However, she acknowledged that the prosecutors hadn’t acted in bad faith and maintained the indictment.
Liggins’ attorney, Matthew Covert, mentioned that his client isn’t held in this case but asked for his release in a different one. Covert said the overlap caused Liggins’ detention,“well over the 100-day mark,” seeking 24-hour home confinement with his mother and GPS monitoring.
The judge denied Liggins’ release because of the severity of his other charges and instructed the prosecution to review the discovery provided to the defense to avoid further delays.
Parties are set to reconvene on July 17 to discuss a new trial date.
