Judge Holds 5 Out of 31 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 13, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

On Aug. 12, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun released 26 defendants and held five defendants in DC Jail.

Rashad Johnson was charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing 27-year-old Senquea Whitley on July 13 on the 3900 Block of Clay Place, NE.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Rachel Cicurel, asked the judge not to find probable cause, citing that officers talked to nine witnesses, none of which identified Johnson or gave a description that matched Johnson’s features.

Judge Okun did find probable cause, however, citing that two officers identified the suspect as Johnson, one of whom says he sees Johnson on a regular basis.

Cicurel requested Johnson’s release into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), citing his full compliance with his probation and his asthma, which he is on medication for and the increased risk of complications if he were to contract COVID-19.

Judge Okun decided to hold Johnson, even though he said he was concerned about his asthma. He said given the nature of the offense and his two pending cases as well as the fact that he is on probation, he needed to hold him.

Johnson’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.

Carla Moment, charged with second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm and and a bail violation was held by Judge Okun because she has three pending cases, three prior bail violation convictions and has had bench warrants for her arrest since January.

The judge said he needed to hold her to assure her appearance in court.

Russchelle Roberts was also held. She was charged with simple assault and a bail violation.

She was also brought in on two bench warrants for failing to appear for two hearings.

Judge Okun held Roberts, citing she has been on bench warrant status since January and has a prior bail violation and prisoner escape conviction.

Judge Okun held Maurice Douglas, who was charged with attempt to commit robbery. The judge held Douglas, citing the dangerousness of the crime and the fact that he has two pending cases as well as a conviction for bank robbery.

One final defendant was held on charges of simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and second-degree theft in a domestic violence case. The defendant was also charged with a bail violation in another case and had two bench warrants for failure to appear. Judge Okun held her, citing an additional open case and her three probation cases.

There were eight additional domestic violence cases, and all were released with either stay-away or no harassment, assaultive, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders.

Three defendants were charged with being fugitives from justice, and they were released with orders to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions in which they are wanted.

Six defendants charged with misdemeanors were released by Judge Okun for charges involving assaulting a police officer, bail violation, second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm, sex abuse and simple assault.

Four felony defendants were released with various conditions, including orders not to possess firearms, HISP and GPS monitoring.

Two defendants were hospitalized, including one who has been in the hospital since July 20. Judge Okun moved their hearings to Aug. 13.

Of those released, three did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution and two were given citations and released.