Judge Denies Pretrial Release for a Homicide Defendant

By Ying He [former] - August 21, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Aug. 21, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denied the defense’s request for pretrial release of a homicide defendant. 

Marcus Walker, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor, assault with a dangerous weapon, second-degree cruelty to children, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, and multiple counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Eric King on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE, on Oct. 11, 2022. 

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, Walker and King had a mutual love interest, who was present at the time of the shooting. According to the documents, the witness dated Walker from March to June of 2022, and began dating King after her breakup with Walker. 

On the incident date, Walker and King were both at the witness’s place. Walker allegedly texted the witness multiple outrageous messages before shooting King. The witness stated she heard two gunshots and found King shot and bleeding on her bed. 

On June 24, Walker’s attorney, Jesse Winograd, filed a motion to reconsider the pretrial release for Walker. During the Aug. 21 hearing, Winograd argued that the eye-witness’s testimony lacked credibility, and requested dismissing all but one count of the possession of a firearm charges after reviewing the evidence. 

At the hearing, Judge Okun denied Walker’s pretrial release request, stating he is a danger to the community, and denied the dismissal of the charges. Parties set trial dates in April 2024. 

Walker will remain detained at the DC Jail. 

The next status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27.