Judge Holds Defendant Charged With 2nd-Degree Murder

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 10, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge denied a release request from a defendant charged with second-degree murder.

Daniel Gayden, 54, is accused of killing Ronald Collins, 56, on the 5100 block of A Street, SE. 

Witnesses say Collins struck Gayden’s vehicle with a walking stick. The stick was stuck in the window and dragged Collins as Gayden drove away.

Collins eventually let go and fell to the ground before witnesses say Gayden was seen exiting his vehicle to stab him.

Defense attorney Jaqueline Cadman wanted her client released on home confinement. 

She said he has a job at Safeway, a home and loved ones to look after. She also pointed out that his criminal history only consists of a conviction for possessing marijuana in 2004.

According to Cadman, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) discovered found out that the victim had a knife. She asked the judge to consider the possibility that Gayden acted in self defense.

The prosecution said the victim was on the ground motionless when Gayden allegedly stabbed him, showing clear intent to harm.

The prosecutor said Gayden’s claim that he exited his car to check the victim’s pulse was a lie he told to hide his wrongdoing.

Since Gayden previously threatened to harm the victim’s family, the prosecution said the killing likely had some planning involved and could not have been the result of a sudden emotional upheaval.

While sympathizing with the prosecution, Judge Rainey Brandt reminded both sides that the purpose of the hearing was not to establish probable cause and that they should make their arguments on a later date.

She did find that Gayden could pose a threat to one of the witnesses should he be released.

Gayden is scheduled for a status conference on July 31.