Judge Considers Murder Evidence in Preliminary Hearing

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On Nov. 8, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt heard evidence to determine if a homicide case could move to trial.

Iesha Marks, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Donald Childs on July 23 on the 100 block of Farragut Street, NW.

The prosecution called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) lead detective, who identified Marks as the suspect.

The detective explained that before the shooting occurred, there was a dispute in an alleyway near the intersection of Farragut Street, NW, and New Hampshire, NW. This resulted in an individual, who he identified as Marks, entering a black Toyota Camry passenger side and the car driving away.

According to the detective, about 20 minutes later, the car came back, and the person on the passenger side stuck their hand out and fatally shot Childs. The detective’s explanation was backed by surveillance footage presented in court.

According to the prosecution, probable cause is appropriate for Marks because, “she went to this alley for a planned fight”.

Dana Page, Marks’ defense attorney, said he “came to the area to fight one woman,” when she was met by several other individuals in the alley.

According to Page, the individuals in the alley, “were armed, and that’s a scary thing,” implying that they could’ve hurt Marks. Page said their alleged possession of a weapon is the reason Marks left the alley.

According to Page, no one can be certain who shot the gun because the surveillance footage does not show the individual in the passenger seat. She also argued that, because Marks wasn’t the driver of the vehicle, she didn’t get to decide whether or not she wanted to remain in the area.

Page argued Judge Brandt should not find probable cause because there’s no evidence that Marks was the aggressor.

Judge Brandt said she handled an unrelated shooting case involving Marks in 2021, so she knows her background.

Judge Brandt alerted the parties she needed additional time to review the evidence before making a ruling.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 14.

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