Defendant Stays on Release While He Awaits Indictment for 2nd-Degree Murder

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During a March 7 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Okun rejected a prosecutor’s motion to revoke a defendant’s release.

River Barfield, 20, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to the shooting of Jacky Brooks, 20, on the 4100 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW, on March 17, 2022.

Barfield is on release as he awaits to be indicted for the charge. His pretrial requirements include participation in a high intensity supervision program (HISP) and frequent random drug testing.

The prosecutor filed a motion to revoke Barfield’s pretrial release due to several positive drug tests received from the pretrial services agency (PSA).

According to the defense attorney, everytime Barfield received a positive drug test result with PSA, he also did an at-home drug test and has tested negative for all of them. She explained that several other defendants have reported similar issues with PSA drug tests and requested time to gather more information.

Judge Okun rejected the motion to revoke his release at this time, but ordered Barfield to undergo a drug assessment with PSA. He said he will make a decision regarding Barfield’s release at the next hearing.

All parties are scheduled to return for a felony status conference hearing on April 21.

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