Judge Continues Detention for Teen Accused of Fatal Beating

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DC Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs sided with prosecutors and ordered that a 13-year-old murder suspect should remain in the custody of the DC Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) agency until trial.

At a May 29 hearing, the judge said that the adolescent’s defense counsel had failed to show that the child would not be a danger to the community and would appear at future court proceedings.

“At this time the placement [in detention] will continue,” said Judge Briggs.

The 13-year-old, along with another 13-year-old and a 12-year-year-old are all charged with second-degree murder, assault and conspiracy in the fatal beating of 64-year-old Reggie Brown. The incident occurred Oct. 17, 2023, on the 6200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective previously testified that the victim was disabled with no apparent connection to his assailants.

The 13-year-old girl, dressed in a pink shirt, sat quietly throughout the hearing, occasionally smiling at onlookers in the courtroom.

As part of her argument, the teen’s attorney said she was in danger at the detention center and requested to move the teen to a shelter house.

The lawyer also emphasized the defendant isn’t in school nor is she receiving regular instruction, a particular problem in that she’s been designated as a special needs student. Stepping down her detention to a shelter house would provide more opportunities for study even though the school year is nearly completed, the lawyer said.

“She would receive much more supervision at a shelter than at home,” said her lawyer, suggesting that would increase the likelihood of the teen’s compliance with release conditions.

Judge Briggs acknowledged that the teen’s family was trying to provide support and assist her, but cited a recommendation from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) that the youth remain detained at DYRS.

Speaking outside the courtroom to D.C. Witness an advocate for the teen’s family said they were stressed “as any family would be” in their situation.

The trial for the three defendants is set for June 26 but may extend into September based on the time needed to argue the case and Judge Briggs’ crowded trial docket.