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By
Allyson Nelles
- February 19, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan acknowledged he needs to consult the counsel for the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to find out where a murder defendant must be held in a hearing on Feb. 13.
Ronald Henderson, 19, is charged with conspiracy, premeditated first-degree murder while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, six counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of carrying a pistol outside a home or business, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Justin Johnson on May 26, 2022 on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE.
Henderson was 17 when he allegedly committed the crimes, so he was detained in the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). Two months after he turned 18, he was transferred to the DC Jail for imprisonment.
During the hearing, Nathaniel Mensah, Henderson’s attorney, argued that Henderson should go back to DYRS until he’s 21, given that the crimes he’s charged with were committed when he was a minor. The defense cited the Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act (CYJAA), which states that juveniles charged under Title 16, or tried as adults, should be transferred to the custody of DYRS.
The prosecution argued that DC law requires defendants with Henderson’s serious criminal history be detained, but later stated they don’t care where, as long as he’s not out in the community.
“I think it’s a mess,” said Judge Ryan. The ambiguity required that Judge Ryan summon the General Counsel for DYRS. He hopes to issue an order by next week, speak with counsel, and determine whether to keep Henderson at the jail or allow him to return back to DYRS.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 14.