Judge Pushes Back Murder Defendant’s Court Proceedings

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 27, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

During a status hearing, a DC Superior Court judge ruled July 27 to push back all further court proceedings for a murder defendant charged for a 2016 homicide.

On June 14, per the terms of a plea agreement, Traveous Brown pled guilty to first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his role in the shooting death of Adam Barker on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE.

As a part of his plea deal, Brown, 28, testified against his previous co-defendant Paul Swann, who is also charged with Barker’s death.

On July 26, the presiding judge declared a mistrial after jury deliberations resulted in a two-day deadlock. 

On July 27, Judge Ronna Beck ruled to push back Brown’s hearings contingent on the status of Swann’s case. Judge Beck said that if Swann’s case is tried again the case would continue to be pushed.

Judge Beck also granted defense attorney Dorsey Jones’ request to send his client back to a facility in Virginia, where he was previously being held. Jones said there were safety issues associated with Brown being held in DC Jail.

Brown was not present during the hearing. Jones said Brown had a medical issue that prevented him from appearing.

Brown is scheduled for a status hearing on Dec. 14.