Murder Defendant Re-released After Drug Possession Arrest

By Rebecca Connor [former] - July 7, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On July 7, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt re-released homicide suspect William Davenport following his arrest and detention for a misdemeanor charge relating to drug dealing.

Davenport, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting and killing 27-year-old Leonard Turner on May 14, 2021 on the 1700 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE. 

According to court documents, the shooting allegedly occurred in retaliation for a robbery while Davenport was engaged in a drug deal. He was allegedly approached by a man attempting to buy drugs and then attacked by a second individual who stole Davenport’s cash and other property.

Davenport was initially released from the homicide case on Aug. 12, 2022, and entered into a High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), pending trial.  Judge Brandt stated part of the reason for the defendant’s original release in a first-degree murder case were alleged prosecutorial violations of what’s known as Rule 16.

This generally occurs when prosecutors withhold significant evidence– in this case regarding the robbery of the defendant.

The Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) had previously noted during a May 12 hearing that the defendant had violated some release conditions, including testing positive for synthetic marijuana.  However, Judge Brandt stated that’s not unexpected given the defendant’s history of addiction, rather than his unwillingness to cooperate with release conditions. 

Davenport was arrested while on release on July 4 for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, leading to the July 7 hearing to evaluate whether release conditions in his murder case should remain the same. 

The prosecution argued that as the first-degree murder charge allegedly resulted from a drug deal that went awry, the new misdemeanor arrest charge was a worrying sign that the defendant could fall back into old habits.  They noted that the arrest occurred in broad daylight, and that Davenport’s release conditions had not proven an adequate deterrent.

Defense attorney Lauren Morehouse contended that what the defendant needed was a stronger drug treatment program in order to prevent a similar incident. While Davenport was discharged unsuccessfully from an outpatient program on July 5, Morehouse said that he was “desperate” for an inpatient treatment that could better address his needs. 

Davenport appeared agitated during the hearing, banging briefly on a table. Judge Brandt then requested a pause so the defendant could regain his composure.

She accepted the defense’s motion to release Davenport to home confinement with GPS with the ability to attend inpatient treatment. 

However, Judge Brandt stressed the precarious nature of his release following his re-arrest, saying if he incurred any further violations she would detain him “so fast your head will swim.”

Judge Brandt supported her decision to release him by saying, “The only person you’re damaging is yourself.”

The next hearing in this case is set for Aug. 4, with the trial date set for August 2024.