Judge Releases Defendant Accused of Second-Degree Murder to Home Confinement

By McKenna Bryant - January 24, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On Jan. 23, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt presided over a hearing about the well-being of a homicide defendant.

Roshella Williams, 49, is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly setting fire to a vehicle that was occupied by 64-year-old Derek Hamilton and three other individuals, including two underage children. The incident occurred on May 29, 2023, on the 3900 block of 4th Street, SE. Hamilton succumbed to his injuries on June 1. 

According to body-worn camera footage, Williams put her hands behind her back and uttered “I did it” after being stopped by an officer as she was walking away from the scene of the incident.

On Dec. 22, Judge Brandt released Williams to a hospice facility in the District, to allow her to receive treatment following a terminal cancer diagnosis. 

At the hearing, Williams’ treating physician at Howard University Hospital phoned in to discuss her physical condition. According to the doctor, Williams has weeks or months to live, and he believes she needs to receive hospice care at home because there is no other treatment the hospital can provide for her. 

Defense attorneys Terrence Austin and Kevin Mosley requested that Williams be placed in home confinement to receive hospice care. 

Despite the prosecution’s opposition, Judge Brandt said “She’s dying, that’s the bottom line,” and granted the request changing Williams’ release conditions to home confinement, except for medical appointments. 

Parties are slated to return Feb. 2 to discuss the necessity of a GPS ankle monitoring device and other release conditions.