Defense Counsel Requests Defendant’s Release Under Personal Recognizance

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 20, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

After serving more than a year on the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), defense counsel requested that a murder defendant be released under personal recognizance.

Taron Oliver is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting his stepfather, Nathaniel Williams, on the 3100 block of 20th Street, SE in 1995. According to court documents, Williams, 41, sustained five gunshot wounds to the head. Williams and Oliver’s mother were involved in a romantic relationship. Allegedly there was a history of domestic violence between the two. Oliver was arrested in 2016, nearly 20 years after the murder took place. 

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe determined Oliver, 43, was completely compliant with his release conditions. Oliver has been held on HISP since March 2017.

Because the prosecution changed attorneys, the new prosecutor told Judge Iscoe he does not yet know enough about Oliver’s situation to make a statement about his release on personal recognizance. He said he expects to have a decision within the next two weeks.

Defense counsel said they will have a written motion for release by the next status hearing, scheduled on Aug. 2. Oliver’s jury trial is scheduled on Sept. 16, 2019.