Counsel Prepare for New Homicide Trial After Previous Conviction Overturned

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 23, 2021
Appeal | Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge continued a trial readiness hearing for a re-opened murder case.

Mark Beasley, 48, was sentenced to 30 years for first-degree murder while armed in the 2015 shooting of Darryn Conte. A jury also convicted him of assault with intent to kill while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, bringing his total sentence up to 40 years. 

His conviction was reversed in November 2019.

During the Feb. 22 proceeding, defense attorney Anthony Matthews asked Judge Juliet McKenna to schedule a trial date.

Counsel said they anticipate the trial to be a bit longer than normal due to possible pandemic restrictions.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 10.

On April 26, 2015, 39-year-old Conte and another victim were found on the 400 block of Butternut Street, NW suffering from gunshot wounds. Conte was pronounced dead on scene. The other victim was taken to a nearby hospital and discharged later that day.