Co-Defendants in Triple Homicide Case to Go Before Jury in 2022

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 9, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On June 9, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled two defendants in a triple homicide case to go before a jury in 2022. 

Co-defendants Rakeem Willis, 30, and Jonathan Winston, 31, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shootings of 24-year-old Tyrik Hagood, 26-year-old Javon Abney and 26-year-old Sean Shuler on Jan. 26, 2019, on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Place, SE. 

The prosecution expects to take about three weeks to present their case. The defense anticipates needing two to three days. 

Because of the lack of courtroom availability due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexity of the case, Judge Juliet McKenna said the trial will not be able to start for at least another year or two. She set aside Aug. 10 through Sept. 23, 2022, for the proceedings.

These trial plans come after, during a hearing back in March, counsel decided they would rather wait to see if more courtrooms become available later in the year, rather than schedule trial dates for March 2023.

Willis, who was arrested a little over five months before Winston, is also charged with possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in this case. However, unlike his co-defendant, Winston has not yet been indicted. During the June 9 hearing, the prosecution said they do intend to indict Winston, but must resolve an issue first.

The defendants’ next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15.