Judge Denies Motion for Continuance in Murder Case

By Dylan Berman [former] - July 26, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee denied the prosecution’s motion for continuance during a July 26 hearing.

Co-defendants Alonzo Brown and Naquel Henderson are both charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Michael Taylor on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE on Jan. 12, 2019.

Brown is currently in quarantine for COVID-19 at the DC Jail and was not present at the hearing.

He is represented by defense attorney Steven Kiersh.

Henderson is represented by defense attorneys Julie Swaney and Lisbeth Sapirstien. 

The prosecution had filed a motion for continuance due to the availability of a new prosecutor assigned to the case.

The defense argued that this motion did not provide “good cause” to delay the trial and the defendant’s speedy trial rights should not be interrupted due to the availability of a newly added prosecutor.

The defense attorneys argued that if the defendants were released to home confinement, then the defense may be more agreeable to a later date. 

The defense also noted that the trial is currently set for Oct. 5 and this later date would likely push the trial to 2024 due to the court’s busy schedule.

The prosecution responded stating that they are not agreeable to releasing the defendants.

Judge Lee agreed with the defense and denied the motion for continuance following the prosecution’s response.

The parties are set to return for another status hearing on Sept. 2.