Judge Raises Concerns After Meeting with Defendant

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A homicide defendant requested one-on-one meeting with DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun at a Jan. 17 status hearing. 

Jacobi Williams, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of Phillip Roache, 38. Roache was found with 10 gunshot wounds on the 7000 block of Blair Road, NW on Sept. 17, 2020. 

Defense attorney Marnitta King was not present due to medical reasons. However, a stand-in attorney filled in for King and represented Williams.

After the meeting, which was closed to the public, Judge Okun informed King that he would need to speak with her about the concerning nature of his meeting with Williams during the next scheduled court date. Information on what the defendant and judge referenced during the meeting, and the judge’s concerns were not publicly addressed during the hearing.

The case was transferred to Judge Okun on Dec. 30, 2021.

A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2, where the parties will discuss forensic evidence and DNA testing.