Judge Grants One Homicide Defendant’s Request to Modify Release Conditions, Other’s is Still Pending

By Beatriz Canals [former] - October 5, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During an Oct. 5 status hearing, two homicide defendants requested to modify their release conditions.  

Alonzo Brown, 25, and Naquel Henderson, 25, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in connection to allegedly shooting 21-year-old Michael Taylor on Jan. 12, 2019, on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE. 

Two other individuals, one of them being a child, sustained significant injuries from the shooting.

During the status hearing, defense attorney Lisbeth Sapirstein said Henderson found employment constructing highways with his father. The defendant requested permission to begin working.

Henderson’s father addressed DC Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee on his son’s behalf to explain that his son would work night shifts. “I’m not a young man no more,” he said, arguing that he needed his son’s help since he could no longer work night shifts in the cold weather. 

The prosecutor requested more details about the location and work hours. 

“I’m not going to have Mr. Henderson kind of go out,” said Judge Lee, emphasizing that Henderson would only be allowed to leave his home to work. If he began working and violated his home confinement, he would be sent back to jail, Judge Lee said. 

Judge Lee did not decide on whether he would modify Henderson’s conditions because he is waiting for the prosecutor to research the victim’s perspective on the release.

“Do you expect us to be on 24 hours [home confinement] our whole two years before trial,” Henderson asked Judge Lee.

Judge Lee said he does not know yet. He said confinement conditions would depend on whether or not the defendants comply. 

Additionally, defense attorney Steven R. Kiersh stated that Brown sought to change his home confinement to his mother’s address. The prosecutor expressed curiosity about the move, but Judge Lee granted the defendant’s request.  

The next status hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2023.