Judge Decides to Release Conspiracy Defendant

By Russell Schwartz [former] - July 8, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo released a defendant under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) on July 8.

Brianca Phillips, 25, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.  Brianca and her co-defendants, Vorreze Thomas Jr and Delonte Stevenson, are all charged in connection with the January 2021 death of 31-year-old Terrance Allen.

A prior factual issue was resolved over the question of who made the phone call that brought Thomas to the location where the shooting occurred. The call was made on Phillips’ phone, but arguments arose over who exactly made the phone call. Video evidence showed Phillips handing over the phone to Stevenson. 

Phillips was released under orders of GPS monitoring and stay away orders from the co-defendants and the place where the shooting took place. 

Phillips will reside with a sibling who resides outside of where the incident occurred. Phillips was deemed eligible for release due to her minimal past criminal history and job history. Judge Demeo pointed out that, before the shooting, Phillips was last employed in March and had even had a job lined up as a special police officer. 

On July 11, Phillips will report to pretrial services to carry out her release orders.

According to court documents, on January 18, 2021, Stevenson and Thomas were seen on surveillance cameras firing at Allen, who was in the passenger seat of a vehicle. After the shooting, Thomas and Stevenson fled the scene. 

Thomas and Stevenson rejected a plea deal from the prosecution in June.

Judge Demeo scheduled a status hearing for Aug. 2.