Judge Denies Murder Defendant’s Release Request to Prevent COVID-19 Contraction

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 10, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge denied a murder defendant’s request for release, which was filed in order to prevent his contraction of COVID-19.

Javon Gunter, 18, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 15-year-old Thomas Johnson on Oct. 9, 2019, on the 1300 Block of Half Street, SW.

Judge Neal Kravitz denied Gunter’s release after asking the prosecution to file a response to the defenses motion on April 9.

Gunter was released to a halfway house on Jan. 4. However, on Feb. 14 DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson reversed the decision after the prosecution made the argument that the killing of Johnson was a, “targeted assassination.”