Judge Holds 2 During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 16, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court Judge held two and released 37 defendants during their initial hearings on Dec. 14.  

Todd Moore is charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly robbing a property on Dec. 12 on the 1800 block of N Street, NW. 

According to court documents, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer responded to a possible burglary in progress. Upon arrival, the officer looked for signs of a disturbance and called for backup. While waiting for backup, Moore, 43, allegedly exited the property. The officer apprehended Moore and allegedly discovered a firearm in his waistband, stolen money and an iPhone that belonged to one of the victims.  

Moore’s defense attorney, Kevann Gardner, called into question the credibility of the victims, who were allegedly selling drugs while the offense was taking place. 

“Their story doesn’t add up. I ask that you don’t find probable cause in this case,” Gardner said. 

Judge Heide Herrmann  denied his request and held Moore at the DC jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2021.

Brian Ray is charged with being a fugitive from justice from the state of Maryland, where he is wanted for armed robbery. 

Ray’s defense attorney, Elizabeth Weller, spoke on his behalf and requested that he be released to turn himself in to the demanding jurisdiction. 

Judge Herrmann denied the request and held him due to the severe nature of the crime. Ray waived his right to a hearing and will wait three days at DC jail for the appropriate jurisdiction to pick him up. 

Among those released, 19 of the defendants were charged with misdemeanor offenses. The majority of the charges were assault on a police officer or unlawful possession of a firearm. All defendants were ordered to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and are instructed to return to court on May 17, 2021. 

Four defendants, charged with being fugitives from justice from the states of Maryland and Virginia, were released. Some of the underlying charges include simple assault, probation violation and damage of private property. All defendants were ordered to turn themselves in to the appropriate jurisdiction and return to court on Feb. 17, 2021.  

Of the 37 defendants that Judge Herrmann released, nine of those defendants were charged with domestic violence-related offenses. One defendant was given a no Harassment, Assaulting, Stalking or Threatening (HATS) order and required to have a GPS monitoring device installed. The rest of the defendants were issued stay-away orders from people or places and ordered to report to PSA. 

Two defendants charged with traffic-related offenses were released and are scheduled to come back to court on May 17, 2021.

Three defendants charged with felonies were released. Their charges included assault on a police officer, destruction of property and first-degree theft. One defendant was ordered to get a GPS monitoring device installed. The other two were released on their personal recognizance to return to court.  

A defendant, who is in the hospital, had their hearing continued to Dec. 15. 

Emily Pengelly wrote this article.