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Betty Yigebahal
, Mona Walls - February 20, 2024
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On Feb. 16, DC Superior Court Maribeth Raffinan presided in a motion hearing on behalf of a homicide defendant.
James Lewis, 46, is charged with kidnapping while armed, felony murder while armed, first-degree sexual abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a prohibited weapon, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in the stabbing death of 30-year-old Brenea Franklin.
The incident occurred on the 1100 block of Bellevue Street, SE, on Jan. 31, 2021. Lewis also allegedly sexually abused Franklin between Nov. 1, 2020 and January 30, 2021.
On Dec. 27, 2023, Mani Golzari and Prescott Loveland, Lewis’ defense attorneys, filed a motion to sever the homicide charges from the sexual assault charges, arguing there is a potential to prejudice the case unfairly influencing the jury.
The prosecution requested that the homicide and sexual assault cases be tried together because they are related.
Due to time constraints, parties were unable to conclude their arguments,
The motion hearing will continue Feb 26.
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