Judge Denies Release Request From Defendant Charged With Two Homicides

By Jakob Rios [former] - January 24, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A murder defendant’s attorneys requested their client’s release from the custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). This request was denied during a Jan. 24 hearing.

Michael Mason, 17, is currently held at DYRS as he and 20-year-old Dajuan Jones face murder charges in connection with the death of 21-year-old Brea Moon.  She was shot to death on the 3900 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, on April 7, 2020. Mason and Jones are charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Mason faces an additional count of first-degree murder while armed in his case for his alleged involvement in the death of 18-year-old Antwuan Roach on May 22, 2020, on the 3800 block of East Capitol Street, NE. Prosecutors believe the fatal shootings of Roach and Moon to have been gang-related, according to court documents.

Defense attorneys Andrew Ain and Linden Fry filed a motion to release Mason into the High Intensity Supervision Program. They said Mason has been very compliant during his last two years at DYRS. The defense also pointed out that he earned his high school diploma during his time in custody.   

The prosecutor argued against release, showing the defendant’s Instagram. There were photos of Mason and Jones with numerous firearms on his page.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee sided with the prosecution and continued to hold the defendant at DYRS. In response, Mason requested to be sent directly to the DC Jail as he is turning 18-years-old at the end of March. Judge Lee outright denied this request stating that there are regulations keeping Mason at the DYRS. He also did not want to expose Mason to the higher levels of COVID cases at the DC Jail.

Mason and Jones are scheduled to return to court on Feb. 1. The prosecution plans to have an indictment ready by the next hearing date.