Murder Defendant Needs to be More Compliant with Release Conditions, Judge Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 11, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a status hearing Jan. 10, a DC Superior Court judge asked a murder defendant to be more compliant with his conditions of release or risk being detained until trial.

Mason Binion, 32, Victor Carvajal, 33, and Joshua Massaquoi, 32, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged role in the shooting of Michael Francis Taylor, 21, on the 600 block of Farragut Street, NW, on June 22, 2008.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Binion was taken off of HISP and his GPS monitor was removed.

On Jan. 7, a notice of non-compliance was filed against Binion. The notice stated that he was not reporting to his probation officer or submitting drug tests.

During the hearing, the prosecution told Judge Ronna Beck that Binion had begun complying since the notice was filed.

Judge Beck told Binion that it would, “behoove” him to comply, considering how close trial was.

“You don’t want to risk step back and because trial is so close I would encourage you comply completely,” Judge Beck said.

A motion hearing for co-defendants Binion and Carjaval is scheduled to occur on Jan. 15. The two are set to go to trial on Jan. 21.

A status hearing for Massaquoi is slated to occur on Feb. 5.