Judge Reduces Pretrial Supervision Requirements for Man Accused of Killing One-Year-Old Child

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A DC Superior Court judge agreed to lessen the pretrial release conditions imposed on a man accused of killing his partner’s one-year-old child.

On May 16, 2018, emergency personnel responded to an apartment on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE, following a 911 call reporting an unconscious child. First responders found the child, Carter Sanders, and rushed him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head, according to court documents.

Brian Wooden is charged with felony murder and cruelty to children. The 32-year-old defendant has been released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) since July 2019. During his most recent hearing on March 1, defense attorney Marnitta King asked for him to be removed from HISP.

The prosecutor objected to this, though Judge Rainey Brandt ultimately granted King’s request. Wooden must call the Pretrial Services Agency once a week and abide by a stay away order for all children less than 18-years-old, with the expectation of his own children.

“This does not mean out of sight out of mind,” Judge Brandt warned the defendant. “If I get as much as one violation, I will send you straight to jail. You get one shot. That’s it.”

Wooden is scheduled to go on trial in April 2023. King mentioned she has an expert witness coming from California to prepare before the trial.

The next hearing for this case is scheduled for June 2.

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