Judge Sets Defendant's Trial 4 Years After Homicide

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During an Oct. 18 status hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan set the trial’s start date for a homicide case nearly four years after the incident occurred.

Ch’Juan Robinson, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Louis Kingsbury, 32, on the 200 block of New York Avenue, NW on April 29, 2020.

Robinson’s trial was scheduled to begin in February of 2024.

Both parties also sought to discuss Robinson’s motion to dismiss the case, based on the prosecution’s failure to preserve body camera footage and photos from Robinson’s car.

According to defense attorney Dana Page, the footage and photos were integral to the defense’s case. While the prosecution opposed the motion, Page said she planned on explaining how such an omission of evidence violates Robinson’s rights.

The parties also requested to discuss Robinson’s motion to divide jury deliberations into two parts in order to avoid unfair prejudice.

The motion would prevent jurors from discussing Robinson’s prior conviction for firearm possession until after the jury has deliberated on all evidence and charges in the case.

Due to Judge Raffinan’s busy schedule, the hearing to discuss the motions was scheduled for Dec. 15.

Judge Sets Defendant’s Trial 4 Years After Homicide