Judge Detains Previously Released Homicide Defendant for Non-Compliance

By Nick Pallotto [former] - November 27, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Nov. 21, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted a prosecutor’s request to revoke a homicide defendant’s release conditions due to non-compliance and newly charged offenses. 

Tywan Morris, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Danielle Stuckey, 27, on Oct. 17, 2021, on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

Morris was originally arrested on the day of the incident, and remained detained until a judge released him on the High-Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) on Nov. 15, 2021. HISP is a program run by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), which requires the defendant to check in frequently and follow other release conditions. 

On Nov. 21, prosecutors asked for a revocation of Morris’ release conditions due to his alleged tampering with a witness in the case. 

Prosecutors, citing from an arrest warrant signed on Nov. 17, told Judge Raffinan that, on Oct. 31, Morris allegedly paid one of the witnesses not show up to court.  

Prosecutors said the payments were near where the homicide took place.

Steven Kiersh, Morris’ defense attorney, said these allegations are untested, and argued that as part of his release conditions, Morris is on a GPS monitor. He said it makes sense he pinged in the location, because he lives nearby. 

Additionally, prosecutors said that in the arrest warrant, Thomas allegedly made threats to an individual not involved in the homicide in February. 

According to prosecutors, there were several instances where Thomas threatened to “slap them” as well as make other threatening gestures towards the individual.

Kiersh said this person needs to come in and be cross-examined about these allegations.

Prosecutors in asking to revoke Morris’ release conditions, asked Judge Raffinan to combine his alleged tampering with a witness offense and his 2021 indicted homicide case.

Additionally, prosecutors said Morris’s criminal history means he is a threat to the community.

Judge Raffinan granted the prosecutor’s request to hold Morris as he awaits further proceedings, arguing there are inconsistencies with his compliance while on release, and took into consideration the new charge of witness tampering. 

Parties are expected to reconvene on Dec. 12 for a status hearing.