Judge Does Not Find Probable Cause in Murder Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 24, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides |

A DC Superior Court judge did not find probable cause and dismissed a first-degree murder case. 

Duron Hudson is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the shooting of George Hendrix, 22, on the 300 block of K Street, SE on June 22.  

On Sept. 18, D.C. Witness reported that  Judge Todd Edelman ruled out substantial probability in Hudson’s case. Judge Edelman said he was still undecided if there was sufficient evidence for probable cause.

During a preliminary hearing on Sept. 23, Judge Edelman ruled that he found no probable cause that Hudson, 18, was involved in the murder.

Judge Edelman informed the prosecution that there was probable cause the driver of the get-away vehicle was aiding and abetting the killer along with there being probable cause that a moped seen in the video could be the one involved in the crime. 

However, he did not find probable cause that Hudson was the driver of the moped.

Judge Edelman said he based his decision on the fact that the case’s lead detective said none of the witnesses identified Hudson.

Judge Edelman also addressed images of Hudson earlier that day. Even though Hudson was dressed in similar clothes to the ones caught on video of the driver of the moped, Judge Edelman said this was not enough evidence to prove probable cause. 

“That is a jacket that is frequently seen on the streets of Washington, DC,” he said.

Judge Edelman said it was serious that Hudson fled from the police, but that alone does not constitute probable cause. 

Hudson’s family was in attendance for the preliminary hearing.