Judge Modifies Release Conditions for Murder Defendant

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DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz modified a murder defendant’s release conditions to facilitate his job search endeavors on March 21.

Lamar Wright, 21, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Derrick Thomas on May 2, 2023, on the 400 block of Condon Terrace, NE.

During the hearing, Wright’s attorney, Sylvia Smith, requested a reduction in Wright’s release conditions from home confinement to a curfew. Smith said that home confinement has significantly restricted Wright’s ability to apply to jobs and has caused him to miss interviews. Wright was not allowed to leave confinement under any circumstances.

Smith added that Wright’s mother has discussed how difficult it is to take care of Wright and her other children as she is the only person earning an income. Furthermore, Smith said that Wright has expressed feeling guilty about not being able to support his family.

The defense additionally requested that Wright be taken off home confinement to participate in a job search and training program with the Free Minds Book Club. An employee from the Office of Rehabilitation and Development told the court that Free Minds would prefer Wright to attend in-person rather than virtually, as he had been doing.

Fairly new to the case, Judge Kravitz said that he doesn’t know enough about the facts and the strength of the evidence to make such a large modification of the release conditions.

However, he said he will change the conditions, so Wright is allowed to leave home confinement with permission from his probation officer to pursue job opportunities, including at the Free Minds Book Club.

Parties are expected to reconvene on Oct. 10.