Judge Modifies Murder Defendant’s Conditions of Release

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 10, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During a hearing on May 7, a DC Superior Court judge modified a murder defendant’s conditions of release due to employment issues.

Victor Carvajal is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting death of 21-year-old Michael Francis Taylor on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW in 2008. Mason Binion, 32, and Joshua Massaquoi, 31, are also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Taylor’s death.

Carvajal, 32, was released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP), which required him to wear a GPS monitor.

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman agreed to release Carvajal on HISP and remove the GPS monitor requirement after the defense said the GPS was causing issues with Carvajal’s employment. Judge Edelman said Carvajal hasn’t had any “infractions” to prohibit the modification.  

As part of his modified conditions, Carvajal is now required to report to Pretrial Services weekly by phone.

According to court documents, witnesses told police Taylor was involved in a “botched” drug deal with a group that included Binion, Carvajal and Massaquoi. Apparently, the group paid for marijuana but never received it. A witness told police that Taylor got into a vehicle with a group of people, including Binion, shortly before his murder.

Binion and Carvajal are scheduled for a status hearing on July 12 and trial on Jan. 21, 2020. Massaquoi has not been scheduled for trial as of May 10. He is scheduled for a status hearing on July 12 before Judge Hiram Puig-Lugo.