Defense Accuses Prosecution of Delaying Evidence

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 16, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a status hearing Aug. 15, defense counsel asked a judge for a continued trial date because she felt  the prosecution purposefully delayed turning over case documents.

Deon Crowell, 50, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing Joni Rockingham, 53, on the 300 block of 34th Street, NE on Dec. 12, 2017.

Defense Counsel, Elizabeth Weller, said a multitude of things would prevent her and her co-counsel from being ready for trial, including the fact that the prosecution had not given her all the necessary materials to review. Crowell’s trial is set to begin on Oct. 15.

D.C. Witness previously reported that DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson had set dates for the prosecution to turn over case documents. However, specific dates were not disclosed.

Weller also said the prosecution put a protective order on body camera footage without her approval.

According to Weller, the order indicated that she could not show the footage to her client or keep electronic files after trial. Weller said the restrictions would prevent her from preparing.

Weller also said the prosecution had not given her the two terabytes of material recovered from a computer that was seized in a search of Crowell’s house. She said there would not be enough time to send the material to her expert to review and build a defense. According to Weller, the prosecution has had the evidence since the beginning of 2018.

The prosecution objected to the continuance, stating that Weller has plenty of time to review the materials.

The prosecutor said the footage was uploaded electronically and that Weller received a notification that let her know the footage was available for view.

Weller told the judge that she never received a notification.

During the proceedings, the prosecution also turned over an external hard drive that contained the two terabytes of information Weller was seeking.

Judge Dayson ordered the defense to give a timeframe on the amount of time the expert needs to review materials and relay information.

Judge Dayson also set another status hearing on Sept. 12 to hear the defense’s motion to continue and another motion to release Crowell if a continuance is granted. According to DC Courts, neither motion has been filed as of Aug. 16.

According to court documents, Crowell, 50, and Rockingham, 53, were associates. Rockingham was reported missing in November of 2017. Apparently,  several witnesses thought she was targeted because of information she had on previous homicides.