Judge Denies Shooting Defendant’s Request for Release

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A shooting defendant’s request for release was denied by  DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur  in a hearing on Sept. 18. 

Keith Walker, 30, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a March 7 shooting on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE, where an individual was shot in the ankle.

Walker, represented by defense attorney Tamara Jones, requested release on bond on Sept. 10, stating that prosecution’s decision to conduct DNA testing delayed the trial, which was previously scheduled to begin Aug. 20 and now is scheduled to begin Jan. 21. According to Jones, the delay is prejudicial to Walker’s case. 

Judge Arthur denied the request for release, “to ensure the safety of the community.”

Prosecution expects to receive DNA test results at the end of October, after which defense will undertake its own DNA testing, which is predicted to take up to eight weeks. 

Parties will reconvene on Jan. 3 for a trial readiness hearing.