Judge Continues Status Hearing for Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 7, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge continued a murder defendant’s status hearing following testimony from two witnesses. 

In June 2018, Torey Stockton was arrested for first-degree murder while armed in the death of 23-year-old Jasmine Light. Light was fatally shot on Jan. 17, 2018, on the 2000 block of 16th Street, SE. 

The following March, Stockton, 23, was indicted on charges of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence drive by or random shooting, carrying a pistol outside home or business, tampering with physical evidence and obstruction of justice.

Due to time constraints, Judge Danya Dayson scheduled the status hearing to pick back up on Nov. 3.

During the Oct. 7 hearing, the lead defense attorney, Rachel McCoy, called on two witnesses to testify .

McCoy brought the first witness, a social worker, to the stand to discuss the possibility of Stockton getting pretrial release. 

The social worker has worked closely with Stockton while he has been held at the DC Jail. She described Stockton’s close relationship with his family and possible employment if he were released.

However, during cross-examination, the social worker confirmed that Stockton had a close relationship with his family when the charges were first filed in 2018. 

The witness also mentioned that Stockton was accepted to the Young Men Emerging Program, a youth rehabilitation program that includes education and job training as well as counseling groups. However, he has not started the program because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The defense’s second witness is on the defense’s investigation team. McCoy called him to testify regarding new evidence in the case.

 The witness shared an alibi for the defendant. According to one of Stockton’s relatives, he was with her in Stafford, Va. when the shooting happened. 

The witness also said that cell phone tower records were extracted, which show Stockton’s phone was not in the DC area when the shooting occurred. But, the prosecution saidt Stockton’s phone was not with him when he was arrested.

According to court documents, the shooting was allegedly in retaliation for a gold glock that was stolen from Stockton.