Judge Excuses Homicide Defendant Out of Courtroom 

By Mia Febles - March 25, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A murder defendant was kicked out of a courtroom March 22 after continuously interrupting DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe during his case’s proceeding. 

Darryl Tompkins, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the deaths of 29-year-old Edward Roberts Jr. and 23-year-old Tyler McEachern. Roberts was fatally shot on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW, on July 30, 2016. McEarchern was killed on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE, on Aug. 29, 2016. 

In the hearing, Tompkins, who is also known as Daryl Thompson, expressed his frustration, regarding the continuance of the case, to Judge O’Keefe. Tompskins attempted to give handwritten copies of his frustrations to the parties, but Judge O’Keefe rejected them. 

According to Tompkins defense attorneys, Dana Page and Pierce Suen, a mental health evaluation ruled he was competent. Page and Suen also expressed frustrations regarding the life-span of the case. 

Both parties agreed on having “up-to-date” competency evaluations for Tompkins. 

“All hearings like this go on for years,” Judge O’Keefe stated. “I’m frustrated too.”

Tompkins continuously interrupted Judge O’Keefe and counsel, so Judge O’Keefe instructed a court marshal to escort him out of the courtroom. 

Parties are slated to return on Sept. 9.