D.C. Witness

Trial Moved in Sexual Abuse Case Due to Delay in DNA Testing

Details During a status hearing on Feb. 1, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun rescheduled a trial due to delays in DNA testing. The defendant is charged with first-degree child sexual... Read More

Defense in Murder Case Requests 60 Days to File Insanity Defense Notice

Details During a Jan. 27 hearing, defense attorney Ronald Resetarits requested to push back the next status hearing to file an intent to plea insanity. Cory Brown is charged with first-degree... Read More

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to Multiple Charges

Details On Jan. 27, a defendant pleaded not guilty to five crimes at his felony arraignment hearing. Michael T. Garrett, 67, is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree murder premeditated while armed,... Read More

New Evidence Prompts Judge to Postpone Sexual Assault Hearing

Details The hearing for a domestic violence defendant with a sexual assault charge was moved as defense anticipates new evidence from the prosecution. The 22-year-old defendant is currently charged with first-degree... Read More

D.C. Domestic Violence Cases Saw 30 Percent Decrease in Simple Assault After 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic

Details D.C. Witness observed a 30 percent decrease in domestic violence cases involving simple assault in the District of Columbia after the 2020 pandemic. In 2022, there have been 84 domestic... Read More

Judge Continues Trial Readiness Hearing

Details DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt granted on Dec. 9 a continuance for a trial readiness hearing. Brian Wooden,32, is charged with first-degree cruelty to children and felony murder for... Read More

Judge Release Defendant Accused of Assault

Details A defendant accused of committing sexual assault was released by DC Superior Court Judge John Campbell on Dec. 2. He also lifted a stay-away order from the victim. The defendant... Read More

Parties Reschedule Homicide Trial Amid New Firearm Charges

Details DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt rescheduled the trial date for a homicide defendant with new concerns of supervised release violations. Brian Wooden,32, is charged with first-degree cruelty to children... Read More

Defense Attorneys Challenge Murder Defendant’s Positive Drug Test

Details Defense attorneys Jason D. Tulley and Caitlin Hatakeyama revealed Nov. 18 that a murder defendant, who has suffered a history of fentanyl addiction, tested positive for the drug after 90... Read More

Prosecutor finds clothing and three vehicles On Scene of Homicide

Details DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted a continuance on Nov. 4 for the defense to decide if they wished to independently test DNA evidence in the case. Darius Robertson,... Read More

Prosecution Prepares Global Plea for Defendant in Domestic Violence Case

Details On Nov. 1, DC Superior Court Judge Arthur Errol expressed concerns after a defendant asked “could you explain to me what just happened” after his release request was denied. The... Read More

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Abuse

Details D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan approved Nov. 4 a defendant’s plea deal, effectively waiving his right to trial and DNA testing. William Romero, 23, was initially charged with one... Read More