Fatal Stabbing Case Goes to Trial in June

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During a status hearing Jan. 28, counsel said they were ready for a case to be retried.

Leonard Smith, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbed Leonte Butler, 26, on March 11, 2017, on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SE.

One of Butler’s defense attorneys, Anthony Matthews, said that a lot was resolved during the trial and nothing new has arisen since. 

“I don’t anticipate the government filing any additional motions,” said the prosecutor. 

In December of 2019, DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson declared a mistrial.

Smith is currently living in a halfway house and has been granted a work release. 

DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring set a trial readiness hearing for June 12, 2020.

Trial is set to begin on June 29, 2020. 

This article was written by MiriYam Judd