DC Superior Court Jason Park denied a homicide defendant’s request for release on Nov. 18, citing lack of evidence to ensure the safety of the community.
Lashawn Washington, 34, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and obstruction of justice for her alleged involvement in the abduction and murder of 25-year-old Chyna Crawford on Oct. 24, 2023. Crawford was last seen on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SW.
Washington’s attorneys, Sara Kopecki and Janai Reed, submitted a bond review motion to release Washington.
According to Kopecki, Washington had been held since March 2024, which will mean she will have been held more than two years and a trial date has yet to be set.
Kopecki also raised concerns for Washington’s safety at the detention center.
Judge Park stated that the defendant was indicted for murder, which favors detention. He emphasized that he had not received any evidence to prove Washington’s lack of dangerousness.
Furthermore, even if he were, Judge Park made it clear that Washington’s history of convictions and the prosecution’s significant though circumstantial evidence was enough to deny any release options.
Kopecki stated that she wished to challenge the strength of the evidence, but Judge Park and advised her to file a motion if she wished to proceed.
Judge Park also recognized the importance of Washington’s safety, stating that he would consider transferring her if the Department of Corrections (DOC) recommended it.
Prosecution alerted the parties that they would be filing a superseding indictment in January with additional charges including multiple counts of obstruction of justice, larger conspiracy, and aggravated assault.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Dec. 17.
