Judge Grants New Attorney More Time to Review Case Before Setting a Trial Date

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At a felony arraignment on Feb. 23, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo accepted the defense’s request to wait to set a trial date to allow more time to go over documents. 

DaJuan Bell is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed in connection to a shooting on Dec. 10, 2021. Bell, 45, allegedly shot two men on the 2000 block of 14th Street, NE. One of the victims, 34-year-old Davon Childs, succumbed to his injuries. The incident occurred after a dispute over the ownership of a shared apartment.

At Thursday’s hearing, the prosecution requested that a trial date be set. However, defense attorney Michael Mruckheim indicated that he was new to the case and requested that Judge Demeo grant the defense more time for viewing documents before setting a date.

Mruckheim also noted that he had not yet gained access to evidence, causing even further delay in his preparation. 

The prosecution stated that the information had been shared with the defense. However, the prosecution is in the process of re-adding evidence that had been deleted back to the digital database for the defense’s viewing. 

Judge Demeo complied with the defense’s request for more time and did not set the trial date.

At the hearing, Bell was also arraigned on two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and obstruction of justice. 

The next hearing is slated for April 4.

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