Judge Scheduled Jury Trial Date for Murder Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 3, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder case to go before a jury. 

Malik Hewitt, 40, and Nyekemia Everett, 35, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE in 2017. 

Their trial began on March 3, but was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In August, after learning that the chief judge was extending his order suspending jury trial until Nov. 9, a defense motioned for a mistrial. Defense attorney Nikki Lotze said that jurors would have difficulty remembering case details from months ago, and that it was unsafe to put jurors, court staff and other members in the case at risk for COVID-19. 

Defense attorney Nikki Lotze said that jurors would have difficulty remembering case details from months ago, and that it was unsafe to put jurors, court staff and other members in the case at risk for COVID-19. 

Judge Anita Josey-Herring, who has since become the chief judge, granted the request. 

During the March 3 trial readiness hearing, Judge Michael Ryan set jury trial dates for both defendants from June 28 to July 23. 

Hewitt and Everett are also charged with conspiracy, attempt to commit armed robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Everett is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing law enforcement officers and obstruction of justice, while Hewitt is also charged with obstructing justice from a separate case in 2018. 

Brennan Fiske wrote this article.