Counsel Holds Off on Scheduling Trial for Homicide Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 29, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Counsel in a homicide case agreed to wait and see if more courtrooms were available for trials upon reconvening later in the year, rather than schedule one for March 2023.

Rakeem Willis, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the deaths of 24-year-old Tyrik Hagood, 26-year-old Javon Abney, and 26-year-old Sean Shuler. On Jan. 26, 2019, the three victims were found on the 1500 block of Fort Davis Place, SE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. All three were pronounced dead on scene.

Willis’ co-defendant, 31-year-old Jonathan Winston, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shootings.

During the March 29 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson said that, based on courtroom availability, parties would be looking at a trial date two years from now. She explained that the trial could be set for 2023 or they could come back in August to set a trial.

Judge Dayson said she hopes that more courtrooms will have opened by fall.

Judge Dayson also said the court has been keeping a list of the trials as they have been scheduled so that when more courtrooms become available, those trials could potentially be rescheduled for an earlier date. 

The hearing is scheduled to continue on Aug. 23.