Judge Gives Murder Defendant an Earlier Trial Date

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During a status hearing on April 18,  a DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman moved a murder defendant’s trial date earlier by nearly two months before its initial date.

Cinquan Cartledge is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two gun-related offenses for his alleged role in the death of 37-year-old Orlando Silver III on the 1300 block of Howard Road, SE in 2016.

Cartledge’s trial date is now scheduled to begin on Nov. 18. The 24 year old was originally scheduled to go to trial on Jan. 27, 2020.

The change comes after a prosecutor notified the court she had a scheduling conflict.

Cartledge is scheduled for a status hearing on June 21, when counsel is expected to discuss trial preparations.

Marquette Tibbs is also charged with first-degree murder in connection to Silver’s death. D.C. Witness previously reported that Cartledge and Tibbs, 26, had their cases separated on March 19 because they wanted to have the ability to testify on each other’s behalf. Tibbs’ trial is scheduled to begin on May 6.

According to court documents, GPS monitors placed Tibbs and Cartledge near the scene of Silver’s murder. Two witnesses identified Tibbs as the shooter shortly after witnessing the incident.

A police officer said he saw Tibbs throw a loaded pistol. The prosecution said the gun Tibbs threw was probably used in the homicide.