A prosecutor announced they plan to formally indict a defendant by the end of March.
On Sept. 17, 2020, 38-year-old Phillip Roache was found on the 7000 block of 5th Street, NW, suffering from 10 gunshot wounds. Nearly a month after the homicide, 35-year-old Jacobi Williams was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He has remained detained ever since.
During Williams’ most recent hearing on March 3, the prosecutor said they have filed for indictment and were hoping to have it back by today, but are running behind. The prosecutor said the indictment should be back by March 18.
Defense attorney Marnitta King asked for the case to be dismissed due to the lack of an indictment, arguing the prosecutor has not prioritized the case. In the alternative, King asked for her client’s release.
The prosecutor argued that the evidence of dangerousness is greater now than it was during the preliminary hearing. He also said the defendant currently has a bench warrant in Charles County, Md., so even if he was released, he would end up detained there.
Judge Robert Okun said there is no basis for dismissing the case. He denied the release request as well.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 24.
