Judge Releases Homicide Defendant from Jail

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A homicide defendant was released after less than a month in the DC Jail during a Sept. 29 preliminary hearing.

On Sept. 2, 39-year-old Archie Moore was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence, and reckless driving after a high-speed crash on the 200 block of 51st Street, SE, which resulted in the death of 60-year-old Rebecca Manley. When hospitalized after the crash, Moore told staff he “did PCP and marijuana.” Officers found marijuana in his car, according to court records.

When Moore’s case was arraigned on Sept. 3, the prosecutor requested he be held in the DC Jail due to the danger presented to the community. DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park held Moore.

However, at the Thursday hearing, the preliminary hearing in the case, the prosecutor announced that she was no longer pursuing the hold.

Defense attorney Roderick Thompson asked DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt to grant Moore release on his personal promise to return to court.

Judge Brandt granted the motion and filed an order for Moore to be released from the DC Jail immediately.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene for a status hearing on Oct. 21.

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