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By
Leah Meyer
, Amanda Parks - January 23, 2025
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman denied a homicide defendant’s request for release on Jan. 22.
Rafael Stevens, 40, is charged with voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Aniekobo Umoh on the 2700 block of 7th Street, NE on Dec. 29, 2022.
On Nov. 15, 2024, a jury convicted Stevens of unlawful possession of a firearm, but was unable to reach a conclusion on the homicide charge.
On Dec. 13, Jason Tulley and Varsha Govindaraju, Stevens’ attorneys, filed a motion for bond review, arguing that because Stevens has no prior violent convictions, was acquitted of the most serious charges against him, and was well-supported by the community, he should be placed on house arrest pending his next trial.
Judge Edelman denied the request because Stevens’ current charges occurred while he was on supervision for a prior felony conviction. The judge stated he believes that the defendant’s record works against him.
Judge Edelman set a further felony status conference for Jan. 31.