Judge Schedules Trial Dates for Double Homicide Defendant

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A DC Superior Court judge scheduled trial dates for a defendant charged with a double homicide. 

Thirty-five year-old Alonzo Lewis is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed for his alleged connection in the deaths of Jaquon Helm, 40, and Venius Badgett, 35. On May 26, 2018, Helm and Badgett were found on the 4600 block of Galveston Street, SW suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Helm was pronounced dead on scene. Badgett was taken to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. 

During the March 8 hearing, parties discussed how long they estimated the trial would take.

Judge Danya Dayson  scheduled the trial to take place from May 18 through 27, 2022. She also decided to schedule another hearing for June 15 to go over motions and resolve any remaining issues.

Outstanding motions are due on April 5.  

Judge Dayson said that, in the past, the court has been flexible with rough estimates for trial length, but since the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly backlogged the system, the court no longer has that flexibility.

Lewis has five additional charges that include possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, and unlawful possession of a firearm.