Lack of Plea Offer Leaves Defense ‘Bewildered’

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The prosecution told the court they wanted to give a murder victim’s family more time to discuss a plea offer after the defense counsel requested a reason for the delay.

Jaime Macedo, 23, is charged with felony murder while armed, robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Maxwell Emerson, 25, on July 5, 2023. The incident occurred at Catholic University, located on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE.

At the hearing, Macedo’s defense attorney, Jessica Willis, said she was “bewildered” that a plea offer hasn’t been extended to her client.

Willis also asked for additional information about why an order for DNA evidence given to the assigned detective “didn’t seem prioritized.”

The prosecution said the ten day order wasn’t long enough for the detective to do the job.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun reissued an order for a 20 day extension including language to allow the defense to be present during collection.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 22.