DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted a homicide defendant’s request reschedule his September trial date.
Khamari Perkins, 21, is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The offenses were committed during release. Perkins is accused of shooting Naseem Simpson, 18, on the 3000 block of 14th St NW on March 15, 2020.
Perkins is represented by defense attorney Kevann Gardner who argued that the defendant did not get a proper chance to test DNA evidence.
“I think that an individual’s right to DNA testing is vital,” said Judge Raffinan. She explained that the standard for continuing a trial date is if good cause is presented by the moving party.
Judge Raffinan set an Aug. 4 deadline for the defense to begin the process of testing the DNA evidence.
Perkins’ trial is rescheduled for Sept. 18, 2023.
