“Obviously this is a very serious case,” DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun said in a June 9 sentencing about a fatal shooting that occurred in 2020.  Nathaniel Bates, 38, was charged with first-degree murder, robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in the murder of 28-year-old Eddie Crist on May 8, 2020 on the 4000 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW.  In March, Bates pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for his other charges to be dismissed. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo presided over a motion hearing that involved 54 defendants concerning violations of their rights during jury selection.  Defense attorneys Jason Tulley and Imeime Umana are representing a compiled case of 54 defendants, claiming that each of the defendants had their fifth and sixth amendment rights violated due to the Fair Cross Section Clause. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo presided over a Feb. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun continued a case on Nov. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun granted parties more time to conduct additional DNA testing in a murder case.  Nathaniel Bates, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Eddie Crist on the 4000 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW, on May 8, 2020.  According to court documents, members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Crist on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.  In addition to first-degree murder, Bates is also charged with robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm.  During a hearing on July 12, the prosecutor told Judge Okun she intended to conduct additional testing on blood splatters but did not know when to expect results.  Defense attorney Pierce Suen requested the prosecution submit the testing results as soon as possible, citing Bates’ significant length of detention and the upcoming trial date in April 2023.  “If the prosecution is able to expedite the results, that would be best,” Suen said.  The parties are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. Read more »

Parties argued during an arraignment hearing over why the prosecutor had failed to file an indictment by the time the proceedings were held. Read more »

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial. Read more »

A DC Superior Court judge continued a preliminary hearing for a defendant charged with first-degree murder while armed. Read more »

On Oct. Read more »

On Sept. Read more »

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the 4000 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW. Read more »

A defense attorney asked a DC Superior Court judge to release the defendant charged with Eddie christ's death, who has yet to be indicted more than one year after his arrest.  When parties in this case met in court most recently on Feb. Read more »