Defendant Rejects Plea Deal in Homicide Case

By Chloe Wayne [former] - June 14, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A defendant accused of shooting a young man to death in 2020 rejected a plea deal. 

Micah Bidgell, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the death of Marquis Harrod,18.

According to court documents, on June 6, 2020, Bidgell allegedly shot Harrod multiple times on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE. When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the scene, Harrod was found unconscious, not breathing, and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

If Bidgell accepted the plea deal, he would have pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed in exchange for a sentence ranging from 8.5 years to 12 years. 

Bidgell’s defense attorney Brian McDaniel requested an earlier trial date out of concern for a month-long trial occurring right before the defendant’s case. A prosecutor covering for the lead attorney wasn’t certain the prosecution would be ready at an earlier date.

 DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan conveyed scheduling concerns as well. “Things have not moved for me, unfortunately,” she said. 

“I’m hoping the other trial will resolve itself,” McDaniel stated. The trial date is currently set for Oct. 17. 

Bidgell is scheduled to appear again on July 14.