Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to 3 Felony Charges

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DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo arraigned a murder defendant who pleaded not guilty to all charges on Oct. 21.

Warren Tyson, 52, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon, and enticing a child in connection to the fatal stabbing of Michael Johnson on Oct. 22, 2021, on 4900 block of East Capital Street, SE.

In the Friday hearing, the defendant’s arraignment was followed by the result of a mental health observation in which Judge Demeo revealed that, according to doctors’, the defendant, who was represented by defense attorneys David Akulian and Julie Swaney, is competent to stand trial.

The hearing also discussed initial privacy assessment issues in regards to DNA testing. The prosecution has engaged a DNA expert and is in the process of evaluating evidence.

On Oct. 22, 2021, the defendant, victim, a parent and the parent’s child were driving in a car when the parent confronted Tyson over his repeated sexual advances towards the parent’s minor child, such as inapproproately texting the child and asking for sexual pictures.

When the parent threatened to have the defendant arrested, the defendant began speeding, eventually reaching the location of the crime. The victim and child exited the car while the parent attempted to restrain the defendant inside the vehicle.

The defendant managed to escape and proceeded to stab Johnson several times. The parent exited the vehicle and the defendant drove away from the scene.

The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2023.