Murder Defendant's New Attorney Says He Will Be Ready for Trial

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.

During a trial readiness hearing Nov. 7, a recently appointed defense attorney told a DC Superior Court judge that he would be ready for trial on Jan. 27. Keith Archie was indicted on second-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, tampering with physical evidence and threatening to kidnap or injure a person for allegedly stabbing 32-year-old Demond Marcel Rush on the 3600 block of 22nd Street, SE in 2017. Defense attorney Jason Tulley was appointed to represent Archie earlier this month. It is not clear why his previous attorney, Blase Kearney, was unable to continue representing him. Tulley told Judge Todd Edelman that he should be ready for the Jan. 27, 2020, trial date. On Nov. 5, Tulley filed a motion to suppress statements given to the Metropolitan Police Department. He said MPD arrested Archie without probable cause or reasonable suspicion, and they began questioning him before reading him his Miranda rights. Tulley requested that all evidence produced from the police search of Archie, as well as anything he said while under interrogation, not be used during trial. Tulley told Judge Edelman that when he observed the police body-worn camera footage, he noticed some officers were taking notes. He asked if the prosecution would be able to turn these notes over as part of discovery. The prosecution said they would try to get the notes to the defense. Judge Edelman gave the prosecution until Dec. 19 to turn the notes over. Tulley also requested any information on Rush’s criminal history. According to Tulley, Rush had a nickname “Deebo”, which is a reference to a 1995 film called “Friday”. Tulley described Deebo as being “large and knocking people out with one punch.” Tulley asked if the prosecution could turn over any information on the origins of the nickname, suggesting that it could be part of a self-defense theory. Archie is scheduled for a motion hearing on Dec. 20 This story was written by Paul Mullholland.

No other organization can keep you informed about local crime cases that impact you. Help us add to our coverage and expand our help in your communities. Donate today.

Donate Now

Murder Defendant’s New Attorney Says He Will Be Ready for Trial