Judge Grants Motion to Modify Release Conditions for Homicide Defendant

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

On Nov. 28, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan modified the release conditions of a homicide defendant so he could get a job.

Dwayne Maurice Brooks, 25, is charged with first-degree felony murder in connection to a shooting that occurred on Aug. 25, 2022 on the 800 block of 7th Street, NW. The shooting resulted in the death of 21-year-old Juwaan Henry.

Brooks’ defense attorney, Megan Allburn, argued Brooks was couldn’t be employed due to his home confinement. Allburn asked the court to modify his release conditions, representing that Brooks had been in full compliance and would still have his GPS monitor to track his whereabouts.

Prosecution rebutted the court had found probable cause for Brooks’ involvement in a homicide, and argued he should not be able to be in public and had voluntarily quit his previous job.

Judge Raffinan ruled Brooks would be able to leave his home for interviews with prior permission. In addition, he will be allowed to leave his house for a couple of hours a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays to search for jobs.

Parties are expected to reconvene Dec. 15 for a status hearing.

Follow this case