A murder defendant was not present for his Sept. 27 hearing because he is still in quarantine at DC Jail.
Davon Patterson, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Bryant McClain on June 8, 2019, on the 800 block of Crittenden Street, NW.
Defense attorney Pierce Suen said that, if his client had appeared in court for the Sept. 27 hearing, he would have requested his release. But DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee said such a request would not be granted.
Suen said his client has been in jail for 18 months and the prosecution is under obligation to quickly indict.
The prosecution said they are working towards an indictment and oppose Suen’s release request due to the seriousness of the charge. The prosecution said the COVID-19 pandemic is slowing down proceedings. But Suen argued that other cases are being prioritized over his client’s.
Judge Lee said that, given the pandemic’s effect on the courts, it makes sense that court proceedings are moving slow. Judge Lee asked the prosecution to give him details of what obstacles they are facing in private.
The next hearing is set for Oct. 7.
