Judge Grants Defense Request for Extra Time in Light of Possible Plea Deal

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 23, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a status hearing, Jan. 23,  a defense attorney asked a DC Superior Court judge for more time to discuss plea deals with a murder defendant. 

DeAndre Houston, 20, was charged with first-degree murder while armed with a firearm on Nov. 1, 2019, for the alleged murder of Roderick Thomas, 27, on Oct. 11, 2018. 

Houston’s defense attorney, Betty Ballaster, said she is involved in school and needs more time, requesting a one and half month continuance, to negotiate a plea deal. 

The prosecution said all of the evidence was already given to the defense.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe granted the prosecution a continuance on April 19, 2019, for both parties to review case filings. Houston pleaded not guilty at his felony arraignment on Aug. 12, 2019, previously denying a plea deal that would drop his charges from first-degree-murder to second-degree. 

Houston received a change of council on Oct. 11, 2019, after requesting a new attorney in September of 2019. Judge Iscoe approved Houston’s request and appointed Betty Ballester to represent him. 

During the investigation, police found a black backpack with a book from a local elementary school, which they traced back to Houston and were able to find his fingerprints. Witnesses told police that they saw a black individual holding a gun, arguing with Thomas near a black Audi. Houston’s prints were later found on the Audi. 

The parties agreed to discuss the plea deal in question, as well as the litigation that is currently on hold until the next hearing. 

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Kravitz took the case over in December of 2019.

Houston’s jury trial is scheduled to occur on May 3, 2021.

A status hearing is scheduled on March 13.

This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo, MiriYam Judd and Lea Gianasso.