Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty During Arraignment

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On Nov. 13, Travon Diggs pleaded not guilty to two indictment charges in connection to a homicide before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.

Diggs, 29, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the shooting of Junior Lee Johnson on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE on May 2, 2022.

Diggs’s defense attorney, Errin Scialpi, appeared remotely and defense attorney Kyle McGonigal appeared in person on Scialpi’s behalf to answer any questions Diggs had.

According to the defense, Diggs is serving time for an unrelated matter in Virginia. Judge Demeo ordered that he be held at the DC jail to make future transportation to court dates simpler.

During the proceeding, Scialpi informed the court that Diggs is pleading not guilty to both charges in connection to the homicide. She asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.

The parties are scheduled for a status hearing on Dec 14.

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