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By
Lizzie Brennan [former]
, Anna Newkirk [former] - July 1, 2021
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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June 30 marked the start of jury selection for the first murder trial at the DC Superior Court in over a year.
Nyekemia Everett, 35, and Malik Hewitt, 41, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 37-year-old Christopher Heard on April 27, 2017, on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE.
Judge Neal Kravitz interviewed 62 potential jurors and chose 30. Jurors were kept in two rooms to allow for social distancing before they were questioned.
The defendants were charged with murder in May 2017, and have been held in pretrial detention ever since. Former Chief Judge Robert E. Morin suspended jury trials in March due to the pandemic. Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring authorized them to resume in April, with safety precautions in place.
Their previous trial began in February 2020, but Judge Anita Josey-Herring declared a mistrial in August 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, D.C. Witness previously reported.
Jury selection will conclude on July 1, and the trial will begin on July 6.
Hewitt is also charged with possession of a firearm during an act of violence, felony murder while armed and conspiracy.
Everett is also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing a law enforcement officer, attempt to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy, and obstructing justice in this case.