DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman determined that a homicide defendant did not violate his release on Oct. 30.
Jose Ramos, 38, is charged with second-degree muder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal beating of Eduardo Cruz, 58, on the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, on Jan. 25, 2022.
A notice of non compliance with Ramos’ conditions of release was filed by the Pretrial Service Agency (PSA) on Oct. 14.
According to Judge Edelman, Ramos violated his conditions of release. On Oct. 11, Ramos traveled to Falls Church, VA, to attend an alcoholic anonymous (AA) meeting, which Judge Edelman granted under the conditions Ramos abide by 24-hour home confinement, along with the opportunity for him to attend work, a religious class, and care for his aging father.
However, Ramos was unaware that he was prohibited from traveling to VA to attend AA meetings, according to his defense attorney Wole O. Falodun.
Judge Edelman requested verification that Ramos, in fact, attended the AA meeting.
Ramos’s Pretrial Service Agency (PSA) representative confirmed the existence of a picture Ramos sent to show he attended the meeting and was there for a little over an hour.
After Judge Edelman received verification, he said he was satisfied.
Additionally, Judge Edelman said that Ramos had been compliant with electronic monitoring and the other conditions of his release.
Judge Edelman discharged the notice of non-compliance and reiterated to Ramos that he is not allowed to travel out of DC for AA meetings.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Dec. 19.
