Judge Finds Probable Cause in Murder Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 3, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial. 

Tyrone Williams is charged with first-degree murder (felony murder) in the death of 80-year-old Bobby Poole. The 50-year-old defendant, along with an unidentified suspect, allegedly assaulted and robbed Poole on March 29 on the 900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE. 

Poole suffered acute hemorrhage damage from the assault. He was pronounced dead on May 6. After the autopsy, Williams’ charge was upgraded from assault with intent to commit armed robbery to murder.

During the Nov. 3 preliminary hearing, the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case identified the defendant in the courtroom and answered questions regarding the initial police report. 

During cross-examination, the detective testified that Williams was found with no weapons and was cooperative with the police on the scene. 

The prosecutor said there is video footage showing William waiting outside of a 7-11 before robbing and assaulting the victim. However, no video footage was shown during the hearing.

“The government is basing the entire case on Williams being at a crowded 7-11 on a crowded street, this was a chaotic scene,” said defense attorney Stephen Logerfo. 

Judge Michael O’Keefe found there was enough evidence, albeit circumstantial, that indicated that Williams was identified as one of the perpetrators of the robbery that ultimately caused Poole’s death. 

Logerfo asked Judge O’Keefe to release his client on GPS monitoring. However, the judge denied the request due to Williams’ prior record. 

Williams’ next hearing, a felony status conference, is scheduled for Jan. 15. 

Saif Habboub wrote this article