Judge Denies Homicide Defendant’s Request for Release

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On Dec. 14, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied a homicide defendant’s request for release.

Asani Forte, 26, was originally charged with accessory after the fact for his alleged involvement in assisting 23-year-old Tre’Quan Nelson and 26-year-old Demonte Gibson with their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Delonte King on Nov. 3, 2021, on the 2800 block of 14th Street, NW. One other individual sustained life-threatening injuries.

Forte, Nelson, and Gibson were all indicted with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, and assault with intent to kill, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the incident.

Prosecutors called the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) lead detective for the incident to testify. According to the detective, Forte, who identified himself to the detective in surveillance footage that displays him moments after the shooting, helped plan the shooting and guided Nelson and Gibson on what to do.

In surveillance footage shown in court, Forte is seen walking behind two individuals who were identified as Nelson and Gibson on their way to the shooting. During the crime, Forte hid behind a pillar, and yelled “stay, stay, stay, go the other way,” as a marked cruiser made their way to the scene following the shots fired.

Forte is also alleged to have picked up a coat belonging to one of the shooters, and met them at an apartment building, where he’s alleged to have helped them dispose of masks and other items used to prevent their identification.

Susan Ellis, Forte’s defense attorney, argued he was at most an accessory after the fact, claiming he never possessed a firearm and is not believed to be one of the shooters.

However, prosecutors claim that he facilitated their participation in the shooting, guiding them on what to do while they hunted down King, and ensuring they had a clear flight path and ways to dispose incriminating evidence once the shooting was over. They stated that, because of his participation, he remains a danger to the community.

Ellis argued otherwise, stating that Forte has strong family ties in the community and was in the midst of interviewing for jobs when Judge Brandt detained him following the indictment. She argued that had he been an important member of the conspiracy, he would have been arrested earlier than February 2023, as his co-defendants were.

Judge Brandt agreed with the prosecution that he remains a danger to the community, and ordered he continue to be detained as he awaits further proceedings.

Parties are slated to return March 8, 2024.

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