Judge Releases Murder Defendant Under Personal Recognizance

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 22, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a status hearing on Aug. 21, a murder defendant was released on personal recognizance.

Wilbert Whitaker, 70, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the shooting death of 30-year-old Leo Hackett on the 800 block of 21st Street, NE on May 2, 2016.

During the hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edelman accepted the defense’s motion to release Whitaker on personal recognizance.

Whitaker had previously been released to home confinement under the high intensity supervision program (HISP).

in early August, Whitaker’s defense attorney, Mani Golzari, filed a motion to amend Whitaker’s release conditions, citing that the defendant wanted to return to the area of the crime where his family stilled lived.

The prosecution responded on Aug. 21, stating that amending the conditions of release would affect the community’s safety.

According to DC Courts, the stay away order for the 800 block of 21 Street, NE will be lifted as soon as the prosecution sends an order to chambers for stay away orders for specific people.

Court documents state that the shooting occurred from a domestic disturbance. Apparently, Hackett was romantically involved with Whitaker’s child. Apparently Wilbert told his child, moments after the shooting, “He should gotten out my house. I told him to get out of my house.”

Whitaker is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Jan. 21, 2020.