Judge Sets Trial Date, Modifies Murder Defendant’s Release Conditions

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 10, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

Following the return of a grand jury indictment, a DC Superior Court judge set a trial date and modified a murder defendant’s conditions of release.

A grand jury indicted Roger Hamilton on second-degree murder, reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug in connection to the death of 42-year-old Vincent Childs at the intersection of Southern Avenue and Wheeler Road, SE in March of 2018.

Hamilton, 38, is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). Per his conditions of release, Hamilton reports for drug testing, maintains a curfew, wears a GPS monitor and has driving restrictions. It’s unclear what his driving restriction is.

Judge Danya Dayson set the trial to begin on March 23, 2020. She also rejected the defense’s request for Hamilton to solely report weekly for drug testing. Instead, she agreed to drop Hamilton’s curfew.

Hamilton’s defense attorney, Joseph Scrofano, argued against the court’s ruling, saying Hamilton has a “limited” criminal history and has been in “perfect compliance.” Scrofano also said the homicide was an “isolated incident.”

The prosecution argued in favor of the court’s position and noted the severity of the offense. The prosecutor also said, given the circumstances of the case, Hamiliton’s driving restriction, drug testing and GPS monitoring were necessary.

During the hearing, Hamilton also rejected a plea offer for voluntary manslaughter. According to the defense, the plea offer had a sentencing range of 4-7 years in prison.

According to court documents, police officers arrived at the intersection of Southern Avenue and Wheeler Road and found Childs suffering from “massive trauma.” The investigation revealed that Hamilton was driving a car at a “high rate of speed,” mounted a curb, hit a pedestrian and then struck two trees, which were uprooted in the process.

Apparently, Hamilton tried to flee the scene and was stopped by a nearby pedestrian, court documents state. An officer, on the scene, said Hamilton’s breath was consistent with the smell of alcohol.

Hamilton is scheduled for a status hearing on June 24.