Murder Defendant Will Not Receive Extension for Plea Deal, Prosecution Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 25, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

On Feb. 22, prosecutors said they would not extend a plea offer for a murder defendant they believe stabbed a man in 2017.

William Edward Smith is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 29-year-old Dominic Brooks on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Brooks suffering from multiple stab wounds to his chest.

Defense attorney, Jason Tulley, requested that a plea deal for Smith remain open until the results of an independent DNA test were released. Tulley said testing should be completed by March 11. 

Prosecutors said that unless defense told them what evidence was being tested and why, the plea offer would close. The plea deal expired on Feb. 22. 

Judge Juliet McKenna ordered the prosecution to hand over evidence, including cell phone information and jail calls to defense by March 8. She also said she had to push back Smith’s trial date because of scheduling issues with an unrelated trial.

According to court documents, a witness, who was in a relationship with Brooks, said Smith and another individual named Lou ran into Brooks and the witness when they were walking away from a birthday party. The witness said a conversation started but turned violent.  

Smith’s new trial date is scheduled on April 8, which is seven days later than the previous trial date.