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By
Elizabeth Bernstein [former]
, Lauren Andreala [former] - October 31, 2024
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Victims
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DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a murder defendant’s request for release on Oct. 25, and delayed a ruling for one of his co-defendants after he refused to come to court.
Steven Metts, 19, Keondre Carroll, 21, and Jovontae Wallace, 19, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed and two counts of kidnapping while armed for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 59-year-old Raymond Ballard on Jan. 23 on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.
They are also charged in connection to an armed robbery on a Metrobus at the intersection of Galveston Street, SW, and South Capitol Street, SE, on Jan. 24.
Carroll also faces charges of carrying a pistol outside a home or business, assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device.
Metts also faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a rifle or shotgun outside a home or place of business, possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device and an additional count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
During a hearing on Oct. 25, Metts’ request for release while awaiting trial was denied by Judge Raffinan.
Meanwhile, Wallace’s attorney, Megan Allburn, argued that Wallace should be released, stating he has no criminal history, a supportive family, and has no evidence against him that proves he was a shooter.
The prosecution disagreed, and argued that Wallace was involved in “particularly dangerous offenses and two days of offenses,” making him a danger to the community.
The prosecution also argued that Wallace has shown a willingness to tamper with evidence because he deleted his Instagram account, which featured evidence of his alleged involvement in the incident. According to the prosecution, there are two outstanding weapons linked to the incident, raising the issue of potential tampering if Wallace is released.
Judge Raffinan stated that the defense must rebut the presumption of dangerousness for Wallace to be released, and that while the weight of the evidence against Wallace is weaker than against Metts and Carroll–still the judge said, not enough to rebut the presumption of dangerousness
Judge Raffinan argued that Wallace is connected to the vehicle involved in the incident and to his co-defendants, citing an Instagram live video of Wallace with his co-defendants 40 minutes before the murder of Ballard.
Judge Raffinan also cited that guns were recovered during Wallace’s arrest, and there are pictures of Wallace with guns.
According to US Marshals who transport prisoners, Carroll refused to come to court.
His lawyer, Gemma Stevens, alerted the court that she would inquire why he refuses to come to court as he did on Oct. 25.
Judge Raffinan refrained from ruling on Carroll’s request for release and set a continued date for Carroll’s hearing on Nov. 26.