Murder Suspect Awaits Status Hearing

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In place of conducting a preliminary hearing for Kavonte Richardson, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed, a DC Superior Court Judge scheduled a status hearing on June 22.

Judge Ronna L. Beck said she didn’t want to call witnesses unnecessarily because there was a possibility they would not testify. Instead, she scheduled a status hearing to set a preliminary hearing date.

Richardson, 24, allegedly robbed and stabbed 26-year-old Matthew Scott Rooker on May 13 on the 600 block of Seventh St., NW. Richardson apparently resided at a homeless shelter near the scene of the crime.

According to the Washington Post, a witness saw Richardson and Rooker fighting over a backpack.  Rooker suffered from multiple stab wounds to the neck, arm and back.