Twenty-three-year old Na’eem Butler, a suspected murderer. failed to appear for a probation revocation hearing on Aug. 21 because he is jailed on another matter in Loudoun County, Virginia.
As a result, DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz issued an arrest warrant pending the resolution of Butler’s Virginia case because that’s the “best way” to proceed. If there’s no probable cause against Butler, the warrant would be dropped.
However, prosecutors wanted Butler’s release revoked not only for murder but the rearrest on new charges.
Butler was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm in a crime of violence for allegedly shooting Diamonte Lewis, 24, on the 900 block of U Street, NW on Oct. 3, 2023 during Howard University’s homecoming.
When police arrived they found Lewis had been shot six times in front of Nellie’s Sports Bar.
A prosecution motion filed on Aug. 6, maintains Butler and his co-defendant, Ashton Inabinet, 19, both from Virginia, were released over the prosecutor’s objection even though probable cause was found that they committed murder.
They have since been indicted and an Oct. 26 jury trial is pending. Meanwhile, according to the motion, Butler has been re-arrested for felony kidnapping, vandalism and assault of a family member.
“[T] he rearrest of Mr. Butler …represents a change in circumstances such that a
change in his bond status is warranted,” continues the prosecutor’s memo.
The prosecutor argued in court that the rearrest was a violation of Butler’s release. “It’s very clear that it was a domestic violence incident,” she said.
Butler’s attorney, David Knight, said revocation would be premature based on the fact no probable cause has been found for the Virginia case.
“There are inconsistencies in what the complaining witness reports,” said Knight because the alleged victim later admitted to police she intended to strike Butler. Knight continued that Butler wants to appear in DC and there’s no reason he wouldn’t.
Over the prosecutor’s objection, Judge Kravitz said that until the situation in Virginia is clarified he had “no legal authority,” to cancel Butler’s release.
The judge rescheduled the next release hearing for Sept. 4.
