Counsel Disputes Trial Date with Judge in 2019 Non-Fatal Shooting Case

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During a status hearing on April 19, a defense attorney sighed in distress when a judge sternly ordered him to alter his trial schedule.

Leroy Headspeath, 80, was indicted on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition on May 25, 2022.

What seemed to be an action-packed game of ping pong between DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld and defense attorney Theodore Shaw ended with a mutual agreement on a trial date slated for later this year.

The incident occurred on the 700 and 800 block of H St, NE on Oct. 3, 2019. Headspeath was seen shooting at the ground and fleeing into an alleyway leaving behind a trail of blood. When officers arrived they saw the defendant lying against the fence suffering from what seemed a self-inflicted gunshot wound located on the upper left leg.

Since the incident, Headspeath has been on release under the supervision of the pre-trial services agency.

On Wednesday, a plea agreement was offered for unlawful possession of a firearm.

The defendant, at first, said he didn’t understand the plea agreement but ultimately rejected it.

Initially, the defense was attempting to push this case to next year.

However, the prosecution believed that pushing a case that is “outdated” was assured for an earlier trial date. The prosecutor requested to continue with a trial date for this year.

“The trial is straightforward and should not take more than three days,” he said.

Judge Hertzfeld agreed and requested that both parties prepare to set a trial date in October.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Sept. 25 to select the date.