Judge Denies Motion for Continuance in Murder Case

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Consider making a donation to help us continue our mission.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied a motion for a trial continuance in a co-defendant murder case on March 21.

Terrance Oxner, 23, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed offenses committed during release, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence offenses committed during release, assault with intent to kill offenses committed during release while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed offenses committed during release, unlawful possession of a firearm offenses committed during release, and conspiracy for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting that occurred on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE on Jan. 25, 2021.

Aaron Adgerson, 19, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and conspiracy for his alleged involvement in the same incident.

The incident resulted in the death of 22-year-old Edward Wade.

During Friday’s hearing, Oxner’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, requested the trial date, currently scheduled for June 2 be continued in order for her to find another attorney to serve as co-counsel.

As a defense attorney for the Public Defender Service (PDS), Harvey is unable to work with attorneys outside of the agency. According to Harvey, PDS is independent of the judiciary counsels, so her co-counsel must be from PDS. Harvey said that there is a potential attorney who is available later in the year to join the case.

Adgerson’s defense attorney, Stephen Logerfo, said he wouldn’t be opposed to a continuance. However, Adgerson is currently serving a sentence, so the continuance would need to end before the sentence ends.

The prosecution argued that the cases are old and there have already been two continuances granted. In addition, the prosecution expressed that a lengthy continuance could interfere with the scheduled trial date.

Judge Kravitz decided to maintain the current trial date due to the age of the cases and their procedural history. He denied the motion for continuance, adding that PDS should figure out the issue of a potential co-counsel on their own.

Parties are expected to reconvene on May 2.