On Nov. 24, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled status hearings for two murder cases.
Jahamar Thaxter and Raymond Avent are charged with first-degree murder while armed in their respective cases.
Thaxter, 29, is charged with the murder of 26 year-old Victor Bolden, who was shot on Dec. 8, 2016, on the 600 block of Nicholson Street, NE.
Thaxter was charged in November 2019, but has yet to have a preliminary hearing, which will determine if his case has enough evidence to go to trial. Dominique Winters, who stood in for defense attorney Mani Golzari, asked for another status hearing, as the defense isn’t ready to schedule a preliminary yet.
Judge Danya Dayson scheduled Thaxter’s next hearing for April 19, 2021. She told the defense to file a motion when they are prepared to go ahead with a preliminary hearing.
Avent, 20, is charged with the murder of 23 year-old Rafiq Hawkins, who was shot on March 23, 2019, on the 1200 block of Brentwood, NE.
Avent is also charged in a co-defendant matter that was also called on Nov. 24. In that case, he is charged with unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing a law enforcement officer, destruction of property, leaving after colliding, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Avent’s co-defendants are Keith Baham and Tyler Springfield. There was also a third co-defendant in that case, Dante Hicks, who passed away.
Judge Dayson scheduled a status hearing for April 13, 2021, for both of Avent’s cases.
