Judge Denies Second Request to Release Murder Defendant

By Maria Howard [former] - September 30, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge denied a second request to release a murder defendant.

Malachi McFarland, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 29-year old Kerry Odoms on April 15 on the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE. He is currently in quarantine at DC Jail.

Judge Marisa Demeo denied a previous oral request for release on Sept. 20. Defense attorney Jacquelin Cadman filed another motion for release on Sept. 27. During the Sept. 30 hearing, this motion was denied.

Cadman argued that DC Jail’s COVID protocols do not keep inmates safe. She also argued that the quarantine period is too long. “If someone tests positive in a unit, [the inmates] go into a 14-day quarantine,” she said.

The prosecution said the delays “do not warrant the court to release the defendant,” because of the risk they argue McFarland poses to the public. 

Judge Demeo said she understands the delays quarantines cause can be “detrimental” to defendants but said “it appears rational.”

A preliminary hearing to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial was previously scheduled for Sept. 30. That hearing has now been rescheduled to Oct. 19.