Judge Issues Warrant For Murder Defendant, No Show in Court

By Elizabeth Brady - October 18, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Data | Homicides | Shooting | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan issued a bench warrant for a homicide defendant who has continuously failed to appear in court, on Oct. 17. 

Vanessa Bonaparte, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the death of 31-year-old Dwayne Boyd, which occurred on June 22 on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE. 

Defense attorney Kevann Gardner argued that Bonaparte didn’t know that she had to appear in court. 

During her Oct. 16 hearing, the defendant appeared late to her hearing and departed due to health issues before court could reconvene, and she was not informed of the continuance, according to Gardner. 

A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) attempted to contact the defendant, but could not confirm the messages were delivered. GPS monitoring showed Bonaparte was not in transit to court.

Judge Raffinan issued a bench warrant with no bond. She argued that due to the defendant’s unsuccessful discharge from drug treatment on Oct. 8, the court action was necessary for the noncompliance.

The parties will reconvene when the bench warrant is served.