Juvenile Homicide Defendant Won’t Go to Court, Trial Delayed

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DC Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs told a juvenile suspect’s attorney to remind him that “it is not optional to come to court,” during a Sept. 6 hearing.

The 16-year-old boy is charged with second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, endangerment with a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of unregistered ammunition for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Avion Evans on April 4 at the Brookland Metro Station on the 800 block of Monroe Street, NE.

According to Judge Briggs, the boy refused to attend court in-person after the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) alerted him they didn’t have enough computers and staff to have him appear remotely.

Judge Briggs instructed William Howell and James Brockway, the boy’s attorneys, that if DYRS can’t provide resources for the child to attend court remotely, he must take part in person.

During the hearing, Judge Briggs also told parties she received notice that previously ordered evaluations of the juvenile couldn’t be completed until next week.

Due to the delays, the trial, which was slated to begin Sept. 17, was vacated.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 25.