Judge Denies Convicted Murderer’s Release

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 18, 2018
Court | Homicides | Post Disposition | Suspects |

A  D.C. Superior Court judge denied the defense’s request June 15 to reconsider the release of a man charged with fatally shooting a teenager in 2010. The man claims the wrong guy was convicted.

Donnell Washington was convicted of first-degree murder while armed for shooting Stanley Dawson on the 3500 block of 19th St., SE in 2012. According to court documents, Washington, 34, shot three people in retaliation, after someone took a gun from Washington’s friend. Dawson, 19, was killed.

The defense said the prosecution should not have asked for jury instruction regarding aiding and abetting. The defense said the instruction inferred that Washington knew the murder would occur. Instead, the defense said Washington only pointed out Dawson to an unidentified shooter, not expecting anyone would be killed.

“I’ve been incarcerated eight years for a crime I didn’t commit,”  Washington said. “If you give me the opportunity to go home and provide for my family, I’m not an animal… I will not flee.”

Even so, Judge Craig Iscoe said Judge Russell Canan was right to deny the motion for a bond review. “I find no new evidence that would lead to a different decision,” he said. “I’m taking time to explain it because I know how disappointing it is to you and your attorneys. Finding the law as I do, you must continue to be held.”

Washington is scheduled for a status hearing on Aug. 17.