Judge Denies Request for Shooting Defendant’s Release

By Maggie Rhoads [former] - August 2, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur denied a request for release by a shooting defendant’s attorney on Aug. 2. 

Amonte Moody, 18, is charged with endangerment with a firearm and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on April 22 on the 1700 block of Independence Avenue, SE. No injuries were reported. 

According to court documents, Moody allegedly fired at his family members 27 times before fleeing into a friend’s house. After being granted an emergency search warrant, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD allegedly found parts of the gun Moody used in the ceiling of his friend’s house. 

During the hearing, one of Moody’s defense attorneys, Molly Bunke, requested Moody be released from jail, citing his lack of criminal history.She also said Moody has been taking advantage of a mentorship program at the jail and presented two letters from mentors advocating for his release. 

The prosecution said there have been no changes in his case and recommends Moody continue to be held at the jail while he awaits trial. 

Judge Arthur denied release, stating Moody has relationships with people involved in the shooting incident. He said his friends live in the house where Moody allegedly shot at family members. 

Moody was previously released by DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Urban Nolan, Jr. on May 3, but Judge Arthur vacated the release order on May 22.

The prosecution also revealed the results of the DNA testing done on the gun Moody allegedly used during the incident. He said the results were inconclusive because they were “too complex” to interpret. 

Bunke alerted the court Moody wants to waive his rights to DNA testing, which Judge Arthur accepted. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 9.