Judge Hears 3 Murder Cases

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 18, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Feb. 18, DC Superior Court Judge Jonathan Pittman presided over hearings for three murder cases.

Christian Arndt, 28, is accused of beating his 54-year-old father, Donald Arndt, to death with a bat on Jan. 28 on the 3000 block of Newark Street, NW. The defendant was apprehended by responding officers and is now charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Defense attorneys Philip Andonian and Joseph Caleb requested an earlier hearing date to review the findings of a mental competency exam.

However, Judge Pittman said the date that was set is the earliest available date, but an earlier date may exist if the defense chooses to waive Arndt’s presence in the hearing.

Parties decided to keep the date, March 10, and continue discussing changing dates with the case judge.

Darnell Rackett, 18, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Antonio Gardiner. Gardnier, who was 36 years-old, when he was found unconscious on the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on July 4, 2020. He suffered from multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

During the proceedings, defense attorney Betty Ballester requested a full competency evaluation for Rackett, with no objection from the prosecution.

Judge Pittman agreed to order the evaluation and scheduled the next hearing for March 30 to allow enough time for the evaluation report to be completed and examined by parties.

Terrance Oxner, 21,  is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting of 22-year-old Edward Wade on Jan. 25 on the 1400 block Good Hope Road, SE. 

Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey asked Judge Pittman to schedule a preliminary hearing to determine if the case against her client has enough evidence to go to trial.

He scheduled one for April 6.