Judge Sets Status Hearing in 1998 Murder Case

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

Donate Now

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee set July 8 a status hearing to review forensic evidence stemming from a homicide that occurred in 1998. 

Kenneth Bryant Jr., is charged with robbery while armed and two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed in connection to the death of 35-year-old James Lane. Bryant was arrested and indicted on the charges in October 2019.

Bryant Jr. is currently housed in FCI Bennettsville, a federal prison located in South Carolina. His sentence, which originates from a separate case, ends in May 2025. 

Defense attorneys Lauren Morehouse and Ronald B. Resetarits called for a hearing to review firearm evidence in the case. Prosecutors expressed that, due to the age of the case, they are still determining which materials need to be re-tested.  

Morehouse and Resetarits also expressed concern over sealed and redacted documents that are critical to the case. They requested materials from the 1998 Grand Jury investigation and documents detailing contact information of key witnesses. According to counsel, one witness said Bryant confessed to the crime. 

“The key for me is that the defense gets this in a time period that adequately allows them to prepare for trial,” Judge Lee said, requesting the prosecution communicate a time period when biological materials and redacted documents would be disclosed.

If defendant was unable to physically attend the hearing, Judge Lee recommended that counsel reach out to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to allow Bryant to attend virtually. “I don’t want us to get caught in a situation where we can’t get him here in a timely manner,” he said. 

On Aug. 10, 1998, Metropolitan Police Department officials responded to a report of a shooting on the 200 block of S Street, NW. Officers found Lane suffering multiple gunshot wounds and was subsequently transferred by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services to a nearby hospital.

Bryant’s trial date is set for Jan. 17, 2023. 

Bryant’s next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 9.  

Notifications are not yet available for this specific case. Please check back later for updates. Thank you.