Acquitted of Murder, Judge Rules Against Defendant’s Release as too Dangerous

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 28, 2023
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Even though Tamika Green was found not guilty of murder on Aug. 24, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo found she was too dangerous to set free in a hearing on Aug. 28.

Tamika Green, 37, was acquitted of second-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the death of 37-year-old Bryan Tate Jr. on Feb. 20, 2020 in an apartment on the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE. However, Green was found guilty of carrying a pistol without a license. 

Green’s attorney, Kevann Gardner, successfully argued during the three-week trial that Green was abused by Tate and that she shot him in self-defense.  Based on her exoneration for the murder charge and that she’s already served nearly 24 months in jail, Gardner says she should be released.  Twenty-four months is within the sentencing guideline for the carrying without a license charge.

However, in her clarification for the trial record, Judge Demeo said she was “troubled” that in spite of agreeing not to do so, Gardner argued that older men turned Green into a sex worker, in effect that Green was used by pimps.

Beyond what happened during the trial, Judge Demeo was particularly concerned about Green’s criminal record including two pending assault cases in the District and a third case in Prince George’s County for alleged prostitution.  In one incident she is accused of assisting a person who was sexually assaulting a victim by using a knife.  

Gardner pointed out that these charges are only allegations and that the District cases are only misdemeanors.  Gardner said that another charge referenced in Anne Arundel County is 17-years-old.  He also pointed out that Green was on release for 17 months without a problem. 

Still, Judge Demeo says it’s “troubling” that Green has a pattern of assaultive conduct and  she’s concerned about Green’s dangerousness, particularly, since the jury saw images of  Green holding a gun and carrying one in her purse.  

The prosecution, meanwhile, opposed Green’s release based on the fact that she used a gun, then discarded it after killing Tate.

Judge Demeo set Oct. 20 for Green’s sentencing.