Judge Allows Murder Defendants to Visit Family For Thanksgiving

By Blair McLendon [former] - November 25, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge allowed two homicide defendants to visit family for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Brothers Dijon Williams and Daivion Williams are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged roles in the death of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas on the 4100 block of 14th Street, NW, on July 21, 2020. Both are currently on release in Georgia. 

During the Nov. 24 hearing, defense attorney David Knight asked Judge Dayna Dayson if 22-year-old Dijon Williams could be allowed to visit family for Thanksgiving. Dijon Williams is on GPS monitoring. Judge Dayson allowed his curfew to be extended to 10:00 p.m. to have dinner with his family for the holiday.

Judge Dayson also allowed defendant 23-year-old  Daivion Williams to travel to South Carolina from Nov. 24 through Nov. 26 to be with family for Thanksgiving. Defense attorney Kristin McGough filed a motion for him to travel while on GPS monitoring for the holiday.

The prosecutor opposed these motions out of safety for the community. After addressing that he tested positive for marijuana in August, the prosecutor said “Dijon Williams hasn’t taken this case that seriously.”

“Dijon and Daivion have never appeared in DC Court so it’s hard for them to understand they are part of a Murder I case,” the prosecution said. While Dijon is not the alleged shooter in this case, with his involvement in the crime he could still be convicted of first-degree murder while armed, according to the prosecution. The prosecution also referred to the “attitude problem” of Dijon Williams.

Judge Dayson brought up the option of home confinement for Dijon Williams to address his previous curfew violations.

Knight said that this is a marijuana use issue, not a curfew issue. “Reporting used be an issue for Dijon but isn’t anymore. He missed a couple of curfews by 15 to 20 minutes. One was 40 minutes a month ago,” Knight said.

Knight agreed Dijon is getting home later than his curfew but stated there was traffic when he was coming home from drug testing, as shown by his GPS. Knight said he doesn’t live near the metro, so that is not an option for transportation.

Judge Dayson responded by mentioning that Dijon should leave earlier to account for traffic.

The prosecution said it is best to come back in a few weeks. Knight is still waiting on receiving the most recent drug test results for Dijon.

The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8.