Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

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Accused of killing a senior citizen and injuring a minor while fleeing police, Benjamin Robertson pleaded not guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan during his arraignment on April 29.

Robertson, 34, was arraigned on second-degree murder of a senior citizen, assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor, fleeing a law enforcement officer, tampering with physical evidence, and destruction of property less than $1000.

Robertson allegedly struck two pedestrians while driving a blue Honda through the intersection of 17th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, on July 12, 2023. One victim, 74-year-old Bing Wong, was pronounced dead at George Washington University Hospital later that day, while a 13-year-old victim surstained minor injuries.

According to court documents, eyewitnesses reported seeing the Honda speeding southbound on 17th Street, NW, through a red light and into the intersection. They said it collided with cross traffic before striking the pedestrians in the crosswalk on the south side of the intersection.

The Honda was allegedly fleeing a traffic stop initiated by a marked United States Secret Service (USSS) police cruiser that had turned on its emergency lights, according to court documents.

At the arraignment, the prosecutor suggested that Robertson’s attorney, Madalyn Harvey, might have a conflict of interest in representing Robertson.

Harvey works for the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDSDC), which previously provided counsel for Antonio Hensley as he faced charges in the murder of Robertson’s brother, Andre Robertson.

“It’s PDS’s position that there is no conflict,” Harvey stated. “I spoke with Mr. Robertson, and he is aware that PDS represented Mr. Hensley. It is Mr. Robertson’s wish to continue with PDS.”

Judge Raffinan scheduled Robertson’s trial for Feb. 23, 2026.

Parties will reconvene on Sept. 6.