DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz stated he would consult the presiding judge on whether to move a defendant’s case to a less serious felony calendar during a hearing on Jan. 30.
Nichelle Thomas, 38, is charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder while armed, six counts of tampering with physical evidence, four counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of threatening to kidnap or injure a person, and three counts of misdemeanor credit card fraud. The charges stem from her alleged involvement in assisting her boyfriend with the fatal stabbing of 42-year-old Anthony Jordan on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE, on Aug. 4, 2023.
Nichelle’s boyfriend at the time of the murder, 29-year-old Lewis Jones, was sentenced on Jan. 9 to 14 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter while armed and obstruction of justice.
At the hearing, Judge Kravitz asked why Nichelle’s case was on his most serious felony calendar. According to the prosecutor, the DC Superior court wanted to keep Nichelle and Jones together, and classified both cases as of equal severity.
Judge Kravitz asked if parties wanted to move Nichelle’s case to a lower calendar or keep it as a felony one. Nichelle’s attorney, Alvin Thomas, requested that the case be moved, while the prosecutor deferred the decision to Judge Kravitz.
Judge Kravitz said he would consult the DC Superior Court’s presiding judge of the criminal division to make a decision.
Alvin also requested Judge Kravitz to remove Nichelle’s GPS monitor because of her compliance with the terms of her release. The defense previously made this request, and Judge Kravitz once again denied it.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 27 for an update on the case.
