Judge Continues Homicide Hearing to Allow Time for Courtroom Availability

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 13, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Documents | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

In the hope that COVID-19 restrictions would be lightened, a DC Superior Court judge decided to continue a hearing for a homicide case.

Keith Baham, 21, Tyler Stringfield, 22 and Raymond Avent, 21, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 23-year-old Rafiq Hawkins.  On March 23, 2019, Hawkins was found unconscious on the 1300 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. It was later determined that the shooting happened on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE but that Hawkins ran to Saratoga Avenue before he passed out.

During the April 13 hearing, Judge Danya Dayson said the case was not previously set for trial because the court was waiting until summer, expecting that more than two courtrooms would open to hold proceedings.

She scheduled another hearing for Nov. 1 to come back to set trial dates.

Baham’s other charges include conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing a  law enforcement officer, destruction of property and leaving after colliding.

Stringfeild’s other charges include conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing a law enforcement officer, destruction of property, destruction of property and leaving after colliding with property. 

Avent’s other charges include conspiracy, possession of firearm during crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing a law enforcement officer, destruction of property and leaving after colliding.