Judge Grants Motion to Extend Indictment Deadline

By Jasmine Hernandez [former] - July 17, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On July 17, Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted a prosecutors’ motion to extend the indictment deadline allowing them an extra 30-days to charge a homicide defendant. 

Desmond Gaskin, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old William Whittington Jr., on the 400 block of Burbank Street, SE, on July 19, 2022.

During the hearing, prosecutors argued they needed an extension because they have been working on getting a witness to testify to the grand jury since October of 2022. 

The defense objected arguing that it has been nine months since charges were filed and the indictment deadline is July 18–then the defense asked that the case be dismissed.

Nonetheless, Judge Raffinan granted the extension. 

D.C. Witness previously reported that Gaskin was released on Feb 2 and had a curfew of 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. under supervision. The defense argued that Gaskin had been compliant and the removal of his curfew would help Gaskin with his job.

A Whittington family member was present in court via remote camera and asked to be heard.

“The only thing we can close is his casket,” he said.

He also mentioned the two daughters Whittington left behind and how they would never be able to see their father walk through the door to hold them in his arms and say, “I love you.”

Ultimately, Judge Raffinan decided to modify but not remove the curfew. 

The next hearing is scheduled for Aug 17.