Defense Requests Earlier Trial Date in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

By Lily Engel , Laura Berol - July 1, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

Public defender Kavya Naini asked DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan to move up Davida Johnson’s non-fatal shooting trial at a hearing on July 1.

Johnson, 26, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged involvement in a shooting incident that occurred on May 8, 2023, on the 900 block of Brentwood Road, NE. The victim sustained two gunshot wounds, one in her left arm and one in her right buttocks, during the incident. 

Johnson’s trial was previously scheduled for Aug. 12, 2025.

According to Naini, another case represented by the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is scheduled to go to trial on Sept. 23 before Judge Raffinan, but PDS expects that date to change. Naini asked to move Johnson’s trial to that date.

Judge Raffinan said she would discuss this possibility with the parties at their next hearing on July 12.

The prosecutor in Johnson’s case argued that she is unlikely to be ready for trial by September, saying she was expecting to have a year to prepare for the trial.

Judge Raffinan said she intends to address this issue after learning whether the Sept. 23 date is available.

Parties are slated to meet again on July 19.