Judge Releases Woman in 2017 Vehicular Homicide

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During an arraignment Oct. 3, a District of Columbia Magistrate judge ordered a woman be released on personal recognizance. 

Terica Younger is charged with second-degree murder for her alleged involvement in the death of 43-year-old Talata Williams on the 2400 block of Good Hope Road, SE in 2017.

According to court documents, Younger  was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of multiple drugs.  

Court documents also state that multiple witnesses saw a Dodge pickup truck, the vehicle Younger, 41, was operating, crash into a Honda Accord, the vehicle Williams was in. Williams, 43, was pronounced dead on the scene.

While Younger was receiving care at a local hospital, officers learned that her blood alcohol level was above the legal limit. Furthermore, her blood tested positive for fentanyl, a narcotic.

During the arraignment, Younger’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, didn’t argue against the probable cause finding. However, she did note that the District Attorney’s office brought charges more than a year after the incident. According to DC Courts, an arrest warrant was filed on Oct. 2.

Harvey requested her client be released, saying Younger has a stable home.

The prosecution argued in favor of placing Younger on the Heightened Supervision Program and said Younger was “erratic” and had been  “drinking while driving” on the night of the car crash. According to the prosecution, Younger has an “issue with alcohol and probably other drugs.”

Prior to her ruling, Judge Heide Herrmann said she was “a little concerned” and noted that Younger failed to report for drug testing that was mandated by provisions in an unrelated case.

Judge Herrmann released Younger on the basis that she report for drug testing and enter into a treatment program.

Even though Judge Hermann released Younger in the murder case, she is still being held on a cash bond in an unrelated case. 

Younger is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 26.

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