Judge Schedules Preliminary Hearing for Prison Breach Defendant

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A DC Superior Courts judge scheduled a hearing to determine if  a prison breach case has enough evidence to go to trial. 

Lionel Shackleford, 38, is charged with prison breach for allegedly leaving Hope Valley Halfway House without permission on April 7.

Shackleford transferred to the halfway house on May 20, 2019, to fulfill his pretrial release order. Around 7:45 p.m., he allegedly walked out with his personal property and entered a vehicle. 

The staff later called in an escape.

Shackleford is being held at the DC Jail without bail.

Judge Julie Becker set the preliminary hearing date for Sept. 23.