Judge Denies Homicide Defendant’s Request for Release

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

On April 11, before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, a homicide defendant’s release request was denied.

Amari Fontanelle, 21, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder premeditated while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and aggravated assault for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Reginald Lamont Cooper Jr., and 19-year-old Davonte Berkley. The shooting occurred on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE, on Oct. 17, 2022. An additional individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

During the hearing, the parties discussed potentially moving Fontanelle’s trial date due to issues pertaining to DNA and ballistics results from shell casings recovered at the scene.

Fontanelle’s defense attorney, Kevin Mosely, argued that he’s “in a very unfavorable position,” due to this potential delay, and motioned for release for Fontanelle.

Ultimately, Judge Raffinan ruled for Fontanelle’s continued detention while they awaited the results of the DNA testing, and maintained the current trial date of Oct. 7.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 26.

Follow this case