Homicide Defendant Unable to Appear in Court Due to COVID Quarantine

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A homicide defendant was unable to attend a preliminary hearing after being placed in quarantine due to possible exposure to COVID-19 at the DC Jail.

Treavon Johnson, 24, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 35-year-old John Edmonds on July 26 on the 600 block of Jefferson Street, NW.

The Sept. 7 hearing was set to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial. But defense attorney Dana Page said the staff at the jail told her they are not equipped to have the defendant appear remotely while he is in quarantine.

According to court documents, the shooting occurred when Edmonds followed and then pulled in front of a vehicle carrying Johnson, his girlfriend and her children. Edmonds then allegedly approached the vehicle, shouting for the passengers to give him his daughter and threatening to kill the occupants.

Edmonds previously had a relationship with Johnson’s girlfriend, who told police this was not the first time he followed her. She said he has also tried to run her off the road in the past.

During the hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee and counsel noted the possible self-defense or defense of others arguments in the case.

Johnson has been held in jail for a month and a half. Page said she is looking to get her client released as soon as possible. She argued that Johnson does not pose a threat to the community since his actions were in self-defense.

“He wouldn’t have been exposed if he had been released before Friday,” said Page.

Johnson is slated to be held in quarantine until Sept. 20, so Judge Lee scheduled his next hearing for that date.

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