Attorneys argue Rashad Allen’s innocence days before trial begins

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 31, 2017
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

The day before the murder trial against Rashad Lamont Allen began, Allen’s attorneys continued to argue their client’s innocence.

Allen is charged with allegedly murdering David Simmons on March 15, 2015. The defendant has been held on charges for second-degree murder since April 27, 2015 when police allege Allen killed Simmons.

However, during a full-day of court where Judge Lynn Leibovitz decided motions for how the case would continue, Allen’s defense attorney April Downs and Quo Mieko Judkins continued to argue Allen was innocent.

According to Downs, witness testimony alleges the shooter involved in the murder went by the name “Hype.”

Downs argued that while Allen might answer to the name “Hype,” there are others who also go by that name. The government will call numerous witnesses to testify that Allen is “Hype,” she said.

The government countered that when someone agreed to let Allen stay in their house Allen introduced himself as “Hype” and then as “John.”

In a list of other motions, the defense and prosecutor also argued about Allen missing a court appearance.

Allen failed to show up to an unrelated court appearance after the shooting, which the government used to allege Allen’s guilt. However, the defense argued that it was not uncommon for people to not come to court appearances, especially if they’re homeless — which is why Allen was “couch surfing” after the shooting.

Judge Leibovitz said that Allen’s disappearance immediately after the murder, staying with someone and introducing himself under a different name, and failure to appear in court after the shooting is all admissible in the trial.

A jury was selected for the trial which is set to begin Tuesday and expected to end next Friday.