Judge Sets Trial Readiness Date for 2015 Homicides

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 6, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a trial readiness hearings for two homicide cases that have been affected by forensic errors. 

Rondell McLeoud, 27, and Joseph Brown, 26, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Amari Jenkins, 21, on Aug. 18, 2015, on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE, and Antwan Baker, 29, on Nov. 12, 2015, on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE. 

The two had been indicted as co-defendants.

The homicide scenes were determined to be linked by ballistic evidence that was later discovered to be erroneous. The cases went on to be severed. However, the mistake caused incorrect information to be presented to a grand jury. 

McLeoud’s defense attorney, Steven Kiersh, filed a motion to dismiss his client’s indictment based on the introduction of false testimony to the grand jury and, alternatively, to require the prosecution to give defense counsel the entirety of the grand jury minutes.

During the April 6 felony status conference, Judge Milton Lee ordered the defense to submit supplemental documents to replace the original Department of Forensic Services (DFS) findings by May 6, which would allow the prosecution enough time to review the items before the defendant’s next hearing on June 2. 

Judge Lee said that he expects to resolve Kiersh’s motion at that time. 

Due to how long the cases have been open, parties requested the earliest possible trial readiness hearings. Judge Lee scheduled one for both defendants for June 23. 

Alicia McCoy, who is charged with obstruction of justice and perjury in connection with Baker’s homicide, is on pretrial release with GPS monitoring. McCoy’s defense attorney asked Judge Lee to release her client from GPS monitoring, saying that she has consistently complied with the conditions of her release. 

Due to separate charges pending against McCoy in Maryland, Judge Lee declined the request and deferred a final decision until her next court date on June 2. 

McLeoud and Brown are also charged with conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault knowingly while armed in their cases. Brown is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

McKenzie Beard wrote this article.