DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park scheduled a new trial in May of 2026 for two homicide co-defendants on June 25, after their first trial ended in a mistrial.
Alonzo Brown, 28, and Naquel Henderson, 28, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in a shooting that killed 21-year-old Michael Taylor and injured two additional victims on Jan. 12, 2019, on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.
Brown and Henderson are two of five men charged with Taylor’s death. Stephon Evans, 25, and Tavist Alston, 31, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed, while Carlos Turner, 27, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
During Brown and Henderson’s first trial, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on their charges. Brown’s attorney, Steven Kiersh, and Henderson’s attorneys, Lisbeth Sapirstein and Julie Swaney, argued the prosecution did not provide any DNA or biological evidence and the prosecution’s case depended on an unreliable eye-witness.
During the hearing, prosecutors said they intend to retry the case.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Jan. 23, 2026.
