Judge Pushes Preliminary Hearing Back for Murder Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 18, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior judge rescheduled a murder defendant’s preliminary hearing to July 19.

Travis Russell is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvment in killing Michael Hooker on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on May 26.

Judge Craig Iscoe made the ruling after the defense requested a continuance. The reason why the defense asked for the hearing to be continued was not disclosed.

According to court documents, Hooker, 44, and Russell, 35, stayed at the same homeless shelter. Russell allegedly got into an altercation with Hooker at a bus stop near the shelter. A short time later, Russell allegedly pushed Hooker to the ground and stabbed him three times with a glass bottle. At the time of the murder, Hooker was allegedly intoxicated. 

A trial has not been scheduled as of June 18.