Murder Defendant Rejects Plea Deal at Preliminary Hearing

By Tavi Miller [former] - November 16, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A murder defendant rejected a plea deal before a witness took the stand in a hearing to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Jamil Whitley, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 32-year-old Kevin Redd on June 11, 2020, at the 4700 block of Jay Street, NE. He was arrested the following August.

Whitley denied a plea offer extended to him by the prosecution. If he had taken it, he could have faced 13-18 years in prison. 

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective took the stand to review the details of Whitley’s arrest warrants during the Nov. 15 hearing. The detective said her unit was not the first to arrive at the crime scene, and therefore was not in charge of the investigation.

Madalyn Harvey, Whitley’s attorney, asked that the detective hand over any radio recordings from the night of the incident that covers any details in the affidavit. DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted. 

Judge Lee determined that the case has probable cause.

Whitley is scheduled to return to court Dec. 10 for a status hearing.