Judge Issues Bench Warrant for No-Show Defendant

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A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant who did not show up to his Aug. 6 hearing.

Willie Morrow, 39, was charged with unlawful entry of a motor vehicle for entering a relative’s vehicle without permission on Feb. 18 on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Morrow pleaded guilty to the charge on Feb. 24, and is currently waiting to be sentenced. He was allowed to remain released in the meantime.

Morrow’s hearing was scheduled to address a noncompliance issue with his pretrial release conditions. The Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) said he had not reported to them and was deemed a loss of contact. 

After learning that the defendant had already pleaded guilty and that his phone no longer appeared to be in service, Judge Gerald Fisher issued a warrant for his arrest.

However, Judge Fisher said the warrant will likely not be executed in the near future unless Morrow picks up other charges.

Morrow’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 6.