On April 1, after a DC Superior Court clerk read a grand jury indictment, a murder defendant pleaded not guilty and requested a trial date.
Eric Maurice Smith was indicted on first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill against a minor and five gun-related offenses for his alleged role in the death of 38-year-old Rondell Wills on the 200 block of 50th Street, NE in May of 2018.
Smith, 19, was also indicted on assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault and assault with significant bodily injury. He is being held without bond.
Judge Craig Iscoe scheduled Smith to go to trial on Nov. 23, 2020. The court also scheduled a bond review hearing on April 23, per the defense’s request.
According to court documents, Wills was an unintended target. Apparently, a car drove by the Benning Road Metro Station and started following a witness. The witness said one of the individuals in the car opened fire. The witness ran in the direction of where Wills was seated on 50th Street.
Police believe Wills was shot in the process, documents state.
The car used in the drive-by was later located, and Smith’s fingerprints were found on the car’s interior rearview mirror, the documents stated.
