Judge Sets New Trial Date Following Unexpected Evidence

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On the second day of a murder trial, a DC Superior Court judge decided to suspend arguments until Jan. 11, 2021.

Joseph Brown and Rondell Mcleod are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Antwan Baker on November 12, 2015, on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE. According to court documents, the two confronted Baker and his brother, who were selling PCP, an hallucinatory drug, when a shootout began. The brother survived. Alicia Mccoy is a co-defendant in this case and is being charged with obstruction of justice and perjury in relation to the murder.

The prosecution disclosed information, the night before opening arguments began. Opening arguments were supposed to begin on March 3.

The defense attorneys, for all three defendants, said was detrimental to their cases. The attorneys said the information needed to be researched before continuing with trial.  

The defense attorney for Alicia McCoy, Rebecca Bloch, said that at 7:30 pm the night before opening arguments began, she received an email outlining an interview between a witness, a detective of the Metropolitan Police Department, and the prosecutors. 

During the interview, the witness denied their previous testimony about not having a romantic relationship with the victim.

Bloch said the information changed the course of the trial, and she needed time to research issues and prepare a new case for her client. 


This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo.

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