Judge Continues Hearing for Homicide Case to Tomorrow

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 4, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled another hearing for a homicide defendant after it was determined that the original hearing was scheduled in error.

Torey Stockton, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the alleged drive-by shooting of 23-year-old Jasmine Light. On Jan. 17, 2018, Light and three other victims were found on the 1500 block of U Street, SE suffering from gunshot wounds. The four victims were transported to a nearby hospital where Light was pronounced dead. The other victims survived.

During the March 4 hearing, defense attorneys Rachel McCoy and Justin Okezie saidthe hearing was changed last minute and the change resulted in a different start time and hearing type than what was originally scheduled. 

The defense requested that a trial date be set despite the clerical error because they did not want to return at a later hearing and be given a late 2022 trial date.

Judge Yvonne Williams said the particular courtroom they were using did not have the authority to set trial dates.

Judge Williams said she could schedule another hearing for the following day so that parties would not lose time in securing a trial date.

Stockton has 17 additional charges in this case including possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, armed drive-by or random shooting, carrying a pistol outside a home/business, tampering with physical evidence, and obstruction of justice.

Stockton has a co-defendant, Kayla Thompson, who is charged with obstruction of justice, but she and her counsel were not present due to the scheduling error.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 5.