Delays in DNA Testing Stall Sex Abuse Trial

By Sophia DeThomas [former] - March 31, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Sexual Assault | Suspects | Victims |

Delays in DNA testing caused delays in parties preparing for a May trial.

A 30-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman inside her house on the 6000 block of Kansas Avenue, NE on May 27, 2021.

The prosecution said DNA testing had been delayed due to work stoppage issues, and that it will likely not be ready for the May 8 trial date.

The defense strongly opposed changing the trial date since the defendant had been held for a substantial amount of time already. He has been at the DC Jail since December 2022. 

The prosecution replied by ensuring that they are doing their best to move the process forward.

The defendant  agreed to give a DNA sample in order to hopefully make the process quicker.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, the prosecution, and the defense all agreed to take the sample March 31 to get it analyzed as soon as possible. 

Following this, the defense made additional requests, including  case dismissal  due to the lack of evidence and reviewing release conditions.

Judge Brandt responded by saying the defense could make a motion, but the likelihood of the motions for case dismissal and altered release conditions to be accepted is very low. 

She said she is still hopeful for the May 8 trial date.

The next hearing is set for April 19.