Judge Denies Continuing Case for Prosecution

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 29, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 28, judge denied continuing  a murder case after discussing the reasons why the prosecution is taking a long time to prepare for trial.

Jordan Smith, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two firearm offenses for his alleged role in the fatal shooting of Yashika Green, 42, on the 200 block of Wayne Place, SE in 2017.

“The government has not worked on this case in the extent they are expected to do so,” Said DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe.

During the status hearing, Smith’s defense counsel ,Mani Golzari, told Judge Iscoe that he does not think they should be allowed to continue the case.

He said that the prosecution wants to bring in multiple experts to test a footprint left in blood. Golzari said this could have been done beforehand and it is taking an unusually long amount of time. 

“Its become clear that the government has not tried to prosecute in a good faith effort or in a good faith way,” he said.

Golzari added that if prosecution were granted a continuance, Smith would be kept in a halfway house for even longer.

“The halfway house is a glorified jail he can’t leave,” Golzari said. 

Golzari requested that Judge Iscoe dismiss the case because the prosecution is delaying the trial. 

The prosecution asked Judge Iscoe for a one to two month continuance to meet with experts.

Judge Iscoe said that he did not think the prosecution acted in a timely fashion to gather and analyze evidence. He said the preliminary hearing was almost two years ago and there has been enough time to test evidence especially since there has been no unexpected circumstances.

Judge Iscoe did not comment on the motion to dismiss.

“It appears to me a great deal that could have been done wasn’t done,” He said 

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled on Nov. 1.