DC Superior Court Judge Niel Kravitz denied a motion for release filed by a fatal shooting defendant on Jan. 29.
Shawnta Aiken, 51, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in killing Richard Walker, 56, on the 3000 block of P Street, SE on Nov. 2, 2025.
During the preliminary hearing, a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified that Aiken allegedly called 911 and stated, “He told me he had HIV, now he’s dead.”
Aiken’s defense attorney, Dominique Winters, argued that the defendant does not pose a danger to the community. She explained that a “gradual release plan” would allow Aiken to be “the best version of herself.”
Winters provided the court with a plan that suggested releasing Aiken to live in transitional housing providing employment services and peer support groups, and 24 hour home confinement.
The prosecution opposed the request, citing drug abuse and the violent nature of the crime. They argued that Aiken is “no stranger to the criminal justice system,” highlighting a 2009 perjury conviction as a concern for Aiken’s willingness to comply with conditions of her release.
Winters argued that the perjury conviction is “outdated and old.” She explained that Aiken had no history of “violent or erratic conduct” in her 51 years of life, until this case.
Judge Kravitz explained it was important to understand the relationship between the victim and the defendant in order to determine if she is a danger to society.
The prosecution claimed that Aiken and Walker had been “romantically involved for a number of years.” Due to Walker’s being incarcerated, the two split up. Prosecutors claim they had recently rekindled their relationship at the time of the incident.
Winters argued that Walker had a “domestic violence history” against Aiken. She explained that she had “pursued protection orders” against him in the past. Winters went on to say that just because Walker’s last reported domestic violence case was in 2022, it doesn’t mean that was the last offense.
“It just doesn’t stop with abusers,” Winters said.
Judge Kravitz also heard from two family members of the victim. Walker’s daughter “believes that [Aiken] should stay detained.” His sister-in-law also claimed that she did not feel safe with Aiken’s being released.
Judge Kravitz ultimately denied the motion by the defense for release. He explained that even with access to resources, mental health and drug abuse issues do not go away immediately.
“I do not think the release plan proposed is sufficient to protect the community,” Judge Kravitz claimed.
Aiken blew a kiss to her family members sitting in the courtroom as she was escorted out by U.S. Marshals.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 27.
