Lack of Indictment Forces Judge to Release Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 22, 2018
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

After two failed attempts, a murder defendant was finally released after the prosecution failed to get an indictment before the agreed upon deadline.

Stephon Williams was charged with second-degree murder while armed in 2017 for allegedly shooting Jamar Morris, 28, on the unit block of M Street, NW in 2016.

Williams, 25, requested to be released and placed in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) twice before — on Feb. 1 and again on May 17. DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe initially denied both requests.

On July 27, Judge Iscoe extended the prosecution’s deadline to seek an indictment to Aug. 22.

At that time, Prosecutors said they still needed to find two individuals and could not give a specific date of when they would speak with the witnesses. The prosecution’s status has not changed. 

“I have no choice but to release you,”  Judge Iscoe told the defendant.

Williams is set to be released on personal recognizance. He will be subject to random drug tests and must report to court sporadically.

He is also scheduled for a status control hearing on Oct. 17.