Defendant Waits for Bed in Drug Treatment Facility

By Christopher Sivak [former] - March 15, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During a status hearing on March 15, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe confirmed that the defendant is currently in drug treatment.

Ronnie Melson, 42, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting 41-year-old Demetrius Jones 15 times. 

The incident allegedly occurred on Nov 6, 2020, on the 1700 block of Gales Street, NE.

In last week’s hearing, Melson tested positive for fentanyl on multiple occasions. Pretrial services recommended that Melson enter a drug treatment facility, although he would have to get clean to do so.

Currently, Melson is detoxifying in a treatment facility in DC. Once he is fully detoxed of the drugs in his system, he would qualify for in-bed treatment at either the current drug treatment facility or another in DC. 

The prosecution wanted to confirm what safety measures would be taken after Melson is admitted.

Pretrial services said that Melson would still be on GPS monitoring, but he would not be under home confinement. The pretrial services representative said that the court would be notified if Melson leaves the facility without authorization.

The parties are scheduled to return May 11.