Judge Grants Partial Motion to Modify Homicide Defendant’s Release Conditions

By Adriana Marroquin - October 6, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 6, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun partially granted a homicide defendant’s request to modify release conditions as he awaits trial. 

River Barfield, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Jacky Brooks on March 17, 2022, on the 4100 Block of South Capitol Terrace, SW.

On Oct. 4, Sylvia Smith, Barfield’s defense attorney, filed an emergency motion for bond review requesting Barfield’s release condition be modified from GPS monitoring to personal recognizance, stating he would be more than willing to check-in with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

The motion also requested Barfield’s required participation in an intensive outpatient treatment program be terminated, since it’s preventing him from working in a recently acquired job. 

A representative for PSA stated that, although Barfield has been compliant with his conditions of release, the agency would recommend no changes be made.

Prosecutors agreed with PSA, adding that Barfield is on release for “an execution-style murder” and has previously tested positive for cocaine while on release. 

Judge Okun partially granted the motion, terminating Barfield’s required participation in the intensive outpatient treatment program. However, he ordered Barfield’s GPS monitoring remain in place, stating the court system should be able to keep track of his whereabouts due to the nature and circumstances of the charges. 

Parties are expected to return Jan. 12.