Judge Hears Arguments for Motion on Murder Trial

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DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard arguments Sept. 12 from both parties regarding a motion filed by the prosecution to discuss previous domestic violence charges against the defendant during trial.

Darnel Sterling, 57, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing his girlfriend 34-year-old Olga Ooro on Sept. 17, 2020, on the 300 block of Massachusetts Ave, NW.

The prosecution argued that the defendant’s previous cases and charges of domestic violence that involved the victim and violating a stay order are relevant to this case and present motive and pattern.

However, Sterling’s defense attorney, Howard McEachern, argued that the involvement of previously dropped charges of domestic violence against the victim were prejudicial.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Raffinan sided with the prosecution and accepted the motion.

The trial is set to begin with jury selection on Sept. 13.

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