Homicide Defendant Files Motion to Dismiss Case

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A homicide defendant’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the case, or reopen the preliminary hearing, based on a witness recanting statements to police, before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

Prashawn Brady, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 44-year-old Michael James Quanders Jr. on March 31 on the 1100 block of 2nd Place, SE.

According to documents from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the incident was domestic in nature, as Quanders and Brady have a child in common.

On May 9, following a probable cause finding by Judge Raffinan during a May 7 hearing, Elizabeth Weller, Brady’s defense attorney, filed a motion to dismiss or reopen the preliminary hearing based on new information.

In the motion, filed by Weller, it states that probable cause was specifically found based on statements made by a witness to police, in which they stated he saw Brady shoot Quanders in the hallway where he was found.

However, according to Weller, the prosecution “has since disclosed to the court that [the witness] has recanted his statement to police and now states he did not see Ms. Brady shoot” Quander.

On May 13, the prosecution requested additional time to respond in writing, noting they were going to object to the motion filed by Weller.

Judge Raffinan reminded Brady she is prohibited from harassing, assaulting, threatening, and stalking any witness related to the case.

Parties are slated to return July 11.