Judge Reschedules Day 2 of Murder Prelim

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 20, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled the second day of a hearing intended to determine if a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial. 

Wesley Scott Jr., 20, is charged with first-degree murder and Michael Benbow, 18, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of David Young. Young was 28 when he was fatally shot from a car on April 3 on the 3500 block of 22 Street, SE. 

The preliminary hearing started on Oct. 15. After running out of time, Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled the hearing to pick back up on Oct. 19.

However, the Oct. 19 hearing began with a request from Scott’s attorney, Matthew Davies, for additional time to review new evidence before the preliminary hearing continued. 

“I don’t think you appreciate what goes on behind the scenes to let this hearing be held,” said Judge McKenna. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, defendants who are being held need to be tested for the virus before their court appearances. The courts have had to deal with unprecedented delays. 

Benbow’s attorney, Andrew Ain, also advocated for the extension request because he had not finished reviewing the new evidence the prosecution submitted on Oct. 15. 

Judge Mckenna re-scheduled the preliminary hearing for Nov. 4, the earliest date available. 

Ain then re-submitted a proposal for Benbow’s release from the Youth Services Center (YSC), since the preliminary hearing is delayed. 

“The second victim was a random person hit by a stray bullet,” said the prosecution, who opposed the request. “This was a brazen, dangerous crime of the highest order committed in broad daylight.” 

Judge McKenna denied the release request, agreeing with the prosecution that she could not guarantee the safety of the community if Benbow is released. 

Benbow will also no longer appear in person for his hearings and will now only be present through video conference from YSC. 

Scott will remain held at DC Jail. 

Sierra Robbins wrote this story