Defense Requests to Reschedule Hearing After Private Conversation with Judge

By Rachel Benck [former] - February 3, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

After a confidential conversation with D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, a murder defendant, and his attorney decided to reschedule their Feb. 2 hearing.

Jacobi Williams, 35, is charged with first-degree murder, armed carjacking, assault with intent to kill, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence all while on release in connection with the alleged shooting of Phillip Roache, 38, on Sept. 17, 2022 on the 7000 block of 5th Street, NW.

Williams and his defense attorney Marnitta King spoke privately with Judge Okun while in court. The details of that conversation, unknown to the rest of the parties, led Williams and King to postpone the hearing in which he would decide on his waiver of his rights to conduct DNA testing on test the prosecution’s evidence.

According to court documents, after officers arrived on the scene they discovered two victims, one with a graze wound to the midsection of his body and Roache with 10 sustained gunshot wounds.

The trial is currently scheduled to begin on July 24, however, Judge Okun warned the defense that he was unable to accommodate that date. He said he could give the case to a judge who could accommodate the trial date currently set.

The defense didn’t wish to change judges, so they decided to reschedule the trial to begin on Sept. 5, estimating it would last about a week.

All parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 8.