Judge Appoints Additional Counsel for Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 15, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a status hearing on Aug. 14, a murder defendant received another lawyer to assist his primary counsel.

Denzel Grandson, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 36-year-old  Simwone Milstead on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE in 2014. Milstead succumbed to his injuries at a hospital the following day.

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet J. McKenna appointed Frances M. D’Antuono to assist Charles P. Murdter on Grandson’s defense team.

D.C. Witness previously reported on Aug. 1, that defense counsel Charles P. Murdter requested an additional hearing so a qualified lawyer could be found to replace Andrea P. Antonelli, who withdrew from the case.

Defense counsel also requested that Grandson be released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP) with GPS tracking and home confinement.

Judge McKenna denied the request on the grounds that Grandson has prior firearm offenses, including one that occurred while he was already under supervision. She said there was no condition of release that could guarantee the community’s safety.

Grandson is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Sept. 6.