Judge Sets Next Hearing for Homicide Defendant

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After the defense disclosed that the prosecution’s plea offer was rejected, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled another hearing date for a murder defendant.

Javon Duckwilder, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed of allegedly shooting 23-year-old Juwan Smith on Oct. 23 on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. The Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call of an individual suffering from a gunshot wound. Smith was found on the scene and immediately transferred to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

In July, the prosecution said there is a substantial amount of surveillance footage collected from a gas station near the crime.

The defendants have not been indicted for this case as of Thursday. D.C. Witness previously reported that Judge Lee told counsel that preference for scheduling trial dates was given to cases that received indictments.

The prosecution is still working on securing an indictment.

The next court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 17.