Defense Requests Earlier Trial Date 

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A murder trial originally set for April 2024 was set for an earlier date on March 27. 

Eric Davis, 60, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm for his alleged connection in the murder of 41-year-old Theodore Riley on the 1600 block of Gales Street, SE on July 19, 2021. According to court documents, Riley suffered from a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Defense attorney Howard McEachern informed DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe that a hearing on DNA evidence took place on Feb. 1 before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein. An accelerated trial date of Jan. 22, 2024, was established at that hearing based on a defense request. 

The prosecution expects its case to run no longer than four days. 

Both parties must submit pretrial motions by this coming June. Prosecutors must also respond to the defense statements by July 14. 

A trial readiness hearing is set for Jan. 5. 

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