Judge Denies Release for Double Murder Defendant Suspected in Another Crime

By Jeff Levine - January 2, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

In a Jan. 2 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a request to release murder suspect Amarii Fontanelle who’s also accused of attempted murder in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  

In the District, Fontanelle, 20, 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 knowingly while armed. 

He was allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Reginald Lamont Cooper, Jr. and 19-year-old Davonte Berkley on Oct. 17, 2022 on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE.  A third victim survived the assault.

Defense attorney Kevin Mosley argued that Fontanelle should be released on the grounds that he had already been so for three months and “there was nothing about his conduct” indicating he should experience a setback.

Mosley also said Fontanelle could be housed in a secure location and that he wants to continue his education while working.  In sum, Mosley argued Fontanelle has done “exceptionally well.”

Judge Raffinan conditionally released Fontanelle in May of last year.

However, the judge says the original information has changed in that Fontanelle was picked up on an outstanding warrant for attempted murder charges in Prince George’s County, Maryland, connected to an alleged shooting incident on Nov. 7, 2022.  

The prosecutor opposed releasing Fontanelle because she says he remains a danger to the community.

Given that Judge Raffinan says there’s no new reason to change his detention status, she denied Fontanelle’s request.

Judge Raffinan set the next hearing date to discuss defense motions for full disclosure of evidence in the case for Feb. 28.