Judge Holds Homicide Defendant During Initial Hearing

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 24, 2021
Featured | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On March 23, a DC Superior Court judge held a defendant charged with first-degree murder and released six defendants charged in domestic violence cases. 

Judge Lloyd Nolan heard a total of 26 cases. Judge Nolan held Aaron Adgerson, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 22 year-old Edward Wade on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE onJ an. 25. Adgerson, 17, is being charged as an adult in this case. 

Defense counsel asked the judge not to find probable cause, saying that, of the four suspects, Adgerson was not identified as being a shooter. He also said that Adgerson was clearly a passenger in the vehicle and that nothing indicates that he knew any violence was planned.

The prosecution argued that Adgerson was, at the very least, a lookout for the other suspects, saying, “he had an active role in the shooting in terms of scouting out the location of the shooting.” Judge Nolan agreed with the prosecution and found probable cause.

The defense asked for release, saying that Adgerson is a student, has support from his mother and is eligible to be placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with home confinement orders, if necessary. 

However, the prosecution asked he be held given the seriousness of the charge and his prior criminal history, which was not discussed in open court. 

Judge Nolan held Adgerson due to his prior criminal record involving assaultive behavior as well as his noncompliance with pretrial services in pending matters. 

Adgerson will be held under the supervision of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) until his next hearing, which is scheduled for March 30. 

Judge Nolan released all six domestic violence defendants and issued stay-away orders in all of their cases. Additionally, the defendants must call the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week. 

The charges for the domestic violence defendants included violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO), possession of a controlled substance, destruction of property, simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and second-degree theft. 

All released defendants will return to court on Aug. 24.

Lauren Pelzner wrote this article.