Murder Defendant Still Awaiting Trial 4 Years Later

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 23, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge agreed to prioritize setting a trial date for a defendant who is charged with the death of a police officer in 2016. 

Dewayne Chatman is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of Special Police Officer (SPO) Evan Williams. On Sept. 8, 2016, Williams, 29, and another victim were found on the 4000 block 3rd Street, SE. The other victim survived and was taken to a nearby hospital.

During the Feb. 22 proceeding, defense attorney Dominique Winters asked Judge Juliet Mckenna to set a trial date for as soon as possible.

Although Judge Mckenna agreed to prioritize the case because of how long it has gone without a trial, she also said that COVID-19 restrictions have greatly backlogged the calendar and, therefore, the trial would still not be able to start until later this year.

Chatman, 34, has been held at DC Jail for over four years. He’s had several trial dates continued throughout the trajectory of his case.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 14.

Chatman is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, mayhem while armed, malicious disfigurement while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, threat to kidnap or injure a person and obstructing justice.