DC Judge Rejects Murder Defendant’s Release

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 27, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

After postponing the deadline for a murder defendant’s indictment, a DC Superior Court judge rejected the defense’s request for release.

Giovanti Young is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Andre Jahmal Johnson, 42, on the 5000 block of H Street, SE in 2017.

Judge Judith Bartnoff rejected the request for release because Young is wanted in Maryland for assault and gun charges. “Why take the risk for three weeks,” Bartnoff said.

During a felony status conference on July 27, Young’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, requested that her client be released under personal recognizance because the prosecution could not get an indictment within nine months. On July 26, the judge gave the prosecution 21 extra days to secure enough evidence for an indictment.

Harvey emphasized that being incarcerated for the extended period of time had been detrimental to Young’s mental health.

The defense argued that a conditional release would allow Young, 24, to participate in Vesta, a Maryland-based program designed to help adults diagnosed with mental illness. In addition, the defense argued to have the defendant released pending trial under court supervision. Young was not eligible for the High Intensity Supervision Program because of the Maryland warrant.

However, the warrant in Maryland would cause Young to be incarcerated again if he were released in DC. “I don’t know if a release changes much else,” Judge Bartnoff said.

The prosecution said releasing Young would prove to be more burdensome. The prosecution must indict Young by Aug. 17, or file to dismiss the case.