Judge Allows Murder Defendant to Stay At Halfway House

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 11, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a status hearing Sept. 11, a judge permitted a murder defendant to remain at a halfway house under the high intensity supervision program (HISP).

Jordan Smith, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two firearm offenses for his alleged role in the fatal shooting of Yashika Green, 42, on the 200 block of Wayne Place, SE in 2017.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe denied the prosecution’s motion to reconsider the release of Smith to a halfway house. Judge Iscoe said the prosecution’s argument for Smith being a public danger was weak since the prosecutor agreed to release Smith to the halfway house in August.

The judge also ordered Smith to stay away from the crime scene.

The prosecutor told Judge Iscoe that she wanted to hold Smith without bail. She said Smith was a danger to the community because of the alleged offense, previous probation violations and charges in Maryland, including illegal possession of a firearm.

During a hearing on Aug. 20, the prosecutor said she was concerned that Smith  was tampering with witnesses and obstructing justice. According to the prosecutor, Smith attempted to contact his ex-girlfriend after the homicide.

Defense counsel Mani Golzari said many other people tried to contact the witness as well since she “fell off the face of the earth,” according to Golzari. Defense counsel said Smith’s attempt to contact the witness was not evidence of witness tampering.

Golzari also said Smith was not a flight risk, citing a nine-month period between the homicide and Smith’s arrest in which he made no attempt to leave the District.

Smith is ordered to refrain from contacting any other witnesses. He is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Oct. 16.