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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- May 24, 2019
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Defense counsel requested that a judge modify confinement restrictions to let a murder defendant attend school.
Daquan Gray, 17, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 15-year-old Jaylan Wheeler on the 600 block of Alabama Ave, SE in 2018. Gray is being charged as an adult.
Gray’s current confinement order, previously given by DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck on July 30, 2018, required him to remain in his home except for when he was scheduled to appear in court. Gray’s defense attorney, Dana Page, asked that the order be changed to give Gray a few hours to attend school.
However, the prosecution expressed concerns about the change because the shooting that Gray is charged with occurred near a school. The prosecutor said it would be important to closely monitor Gray’s location if home confinement was lifted.
On May 24, DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said he wouldn’t order any changes until he is given a specific proposal about the school’s arrangements for Gray’s attendance.
According to court documents, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department found Wheeler unconscious and suffering from gunshot wounds to the body. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that evening. Gray was arrested for the shooting on May 30, 2018.
Gray is scheduled for a hearing, where he will determine if he wants to independently test DNA evidence, on Sept. 13. A trial is slated to occur on Sept. 8, 2020.