DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan denied a defense request to release an elderly homicide defendant to home confinement in a hearing on June 5.
Morris Stokes, 72, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for allegedly beating 70-year-old Maurice Rowe to death with a pole on Aug. 6, 2024, on the 1400 block of Downing Street, NE. Rowe succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 24, 2024.
At the hearing, Peter Odom, Stokes’ attorney, argued that due to the defendant’s age and cancer diagnosis, as well as a postponed trial date, Stokes should be released under 24-hour home confinement. Odom stated that Stokes has a place to stay in the city, and could be supervised by his romantic partner, a former health care aide.
The prosecution opposed Stokes’ release. They argued that his previous record of robberies and violent crime convictions, as well as the charges he’s accused of now, render him a danger to the community. The prosecution also emphasized that Stokes was elderly when he allegedly committed the crime, so his age shouldn’t impact his confinement.
Judge Ryan denied the motion for home confinement agreeing with the prosecution. The judge spoke directly to the defense, stating he had spent his life incarcerated, with brief periods of time out. In each of these occasions, a new robbery was committed, and Stokes was again charged and convicted, said the judge.
Parties also agreed to postpone the trial, as lawyers on both sides would not be prepared by the previously scheduled date of June 22. Stokes’ jury trial is now scheduled for March 8, 2027. Both parties expect the trial to last six days.
Parties are set to reconvene on Feb. 13, 2027.
