Co-Defendants Indicted on Five Counts in 2020 Murder Case 

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 14, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Two co-defendants were arraigned on a five-count indictment for their alleged roles in a deadly shooting on a September night in 2020.

Anthony Lee was 25-years-old when he was shot to death on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE, on Sept. 26, 2020. Niko Hall, 30, was arrested in October 2020 and Kyree Wells, 19, was arrested in November 2020.

During a March 11 hearing, the two were arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possessing a firearm during a  crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and carrying a pistol without a license.

Both Wells and Hall pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Hall’s defense attorney, Marnitta King, renewed a motion for her client’s release due to his medical circumstances. King said Hall was shot several years ago and the DC Jail is not equipped to provide the physical therapy Hall needs to recover. She said her client has no prior convictions or plans to flee if released.

The prosecutor opposed the request. He said the defendant was receiving treatment in jail and would pose a danger to the community if released.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied the request, saying this was at least the fourth time defense counsel has renewed this motion.

“I am not revisiting this issue again” she said.

Judge Brandt said she would prefer to go ahead and schedule a jury selection date to begin the trial process. However, the prosecutor in this case said it might be preferable if a status hearing was held before scheduling trial dates. 

A status hearing is scheduled to take place on April 22.