Judge Takes Murder Defendant Off Supervised Release

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 23, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

Four months after being found not guilty, a man accused of murder was allowed to opt out of the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

“He’s been a model on HISP,” said DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck. “He’s been totally in compliance.”

Demetrius Brandon was charged with first-degree murder while armed for the shooting death of Marcus Manor on the 2900 block of Sherman Avenue, NW in 2015. His co-defendant, Kevin Chase, later admitted to shooting Manor, 38, in self-defense. Brandon was found not guilty of first-degree murder and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Judge Beck said Brandon’s participation in Project Empowerment, a job training program, and the fact that Brandon promptly reinstalled his GPS locator after returning from his sister’s wedding in Las Vegas justified her decision to take him off HISP. Brandon will continue to be randomly drug tested but will not have a curfew.

According to the prosecution, Brandon, who was 29 at the time of the incident, and Chase premeditated Manor’s murder. However, the defense argued that Chase thought Manor was reaching for a gun on the day of the incident. Defense attorneys said Manor was known for his violent behavior and that Chase acted out of fear. Apparently, Manor and Chase’s sister were involved in a violent relationship.

Brandon was implicated in the homicide after picking Chase up at a nearby gas station, according to defense attorneys. Defense attorneys said Brandon was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. A jury was not able to reach a unanimous decision on whether Brandon should be convicted as an accessory after the fact in an assault with the intent to kill. The jury could also not agree on whether Chase was guilty of murder. Both men are scheduled for another trial on their unresolved charges on Jan. 29, 2019.

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled on Jan. 18, 2019.