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By
Patrick Hillmeyer
- February 12, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan denied a shooting defendant’s request to step down his release conditions on Feb 11.
Vann Allen, 35, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 11, 2023.
According to police reports, one victim was wounded on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NE.
In court, Michelle Lockard and Sellano Simmons, Allen’s attorneys, filed a motion to modify Allen’s release conditions in order to give him more freedom to spend time with his children outside of home confinement.
Lockard stated the “restriction of his ability to move around is prohibiting him from living his life.” According to a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), Allen is in complete compliance with his conditions and has had no infractions.
The prosecution argued that Allen still poses a danger to the community and that there’s already been plenty of exceptions in the allowance of pretrial release in this case for such a serious crime. Lockard argued these exceptions only stem from weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, justifying her stance on relaxed release conditions.
Judge Ryan stated he will review the matter but is denying the request for now.
Parties are slated to reconvene on June 3.