Judge Denies Defendant’s Release and Continues Case Until the End of July

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On July 7, a DC Superior Court judge denied a defendant’s request for release. Instead, the case was continued until the end of July.

Antwaun Smith is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department saw Smith on the 600 Morton Street NW, with a large group of people. He started running away from the police holding his right jacket pocket.

The defendant allegedly tossed the weapon in a grassy area while running from authorities. Police were able to recover the weapon.

Defense attorney Brandi Harden asked the judge for the defendant to be released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.) The prosecution opposed this request because the defendant is already in HISP pending another case.

The prosecution offered Smith a plea deal. The deal is set to expire on July 22. If he denies the plea, his next court date will be a preliminary hearing to determine if the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed to trial.

That hearing is scheduled for July 31.

If he accepts the plea deal, then that date will be postponed.

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