Defendant Charged With Assault With A Firearm Rejects Plea Offer Again

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During a Dec. 6 hearing, a prosecutor offered a global plea offer for the defendant again after giving an extension on March 10.

Emerson Morales, 19, is charged with 10 counts of assault with the intent to kill while armed, criminal street gang affiliation, felony or violent misdemeanor while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside his home or place of business, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the non-fatal shooting of a bike rider on the 5700 block of 14th Street, NW.

According to court documents, the victim was traveling on his bike northbound on the 5700 block of 14th Street, NW when a four-door dark-colored sedan pulled up beside him and fired three shots from the passenger side of the car, hitting him in the right knee.

The prosecutor offered the plea of one count of attempted murder, one count of carrying a firearm without a license, and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on the record.

Morales rejected the plea offer again.

Defense attorney Rachel McCoy asserted Morales’s 6th amendment right and requested to proceed with a trial.

The trial is expected to begin in August 2024.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 26.

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