DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan agreed to change home confinement orders making it easier for a homicide defendant to attend job interviews during a hearing on April 3.
Wayne Blake, 24, is charged with first-degree murder of a victim who was especially vulnerable due to age or physical infirmity and two counts of cruelty to children for his alleged involvement in the fatal beating of 18-month-old Journee Moore, on Sept. 28, 2024 on the 3700 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.
During the hearing, Blake’s attorney, Kevin Mosley, mentioned a motion he filed on April 2 to modify Blake’s release conditions. According to Mosley, Blake is trying to seek employment opportunities but is having difficulty given the child-free restrictions, meaning he must stay away from children on his release.
According to Mosley, Blake has been applying to fast food restaurants and other service jobs where children might be present. Mosley argued that this release condition is making it more difficult for Blake to find a job.
In addition, Mosley noted Blake has no history of child abuse and is in compliance with release conditions thus far as further proof his conditions should be modified. According to court records, Judge Ryan released Blake on June 13, 2025. A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative, who was virtually present, confirmed Blake’s compliance with his release conditions and home confinement.
The prosecutor objected to Mosley’s request, contending Blake shouldn’t be around children. She asked Judge Ryan for two weeks to file a response motion.
As a result, Judge Ryan told Blake he was allowed to attend the job interviews but granted the prosecutors request for two weeks to respond before officially changing his release conditions.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 15.
