Judge Continues Hearing for Murder Defendants

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 12, 2018
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A District of Columbia Superior Court judge granted Dec. 11 the defense’s request to continue two murder defendants’ preliminary hearing.

Dale Thomas and Donnell Mills are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged role in the stabbing death of 38-year-old Jelani Mohammed on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE in November.

According to court documents, Metrobus surveillance footage, near a Benning Road bus stop, shows two individuals approach Mohammed from behind and assault him. However, a knife was not visible during the fight.

Apparently, the two individuals grabbed at the victim’s backpack in an attempt to steal it, documents state. During the investigation, police were able to identify Thomas, 28, based on his clothing in the footage. Meanwhile, an eyewitness identified Mills, 29, by name.

Thomas’s defense attorney, Matthew Davies, requested the continuance, saying he needs more time to prepare.

Judge Milton Lee continued the preliminary hearing to Jan. 17, 2019.