Murder Defendant’s Trial Date Goes Unchanged

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 29, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a status hearing on Feb. 28, parties decided to keep the scheduled trial date for November of this year. 

Bernard Mckinney is charged with first-degree murder while committing or attempting to commit a robery with a firearm, assualt with the inent to rob while armed, possesion of a firearm during a crime of violence and robbery while armed. Mckinney allegedly shot 24-year-old Daymond Chicas on the 300 block of 50th Street near the Kelly Miller pool on June 12, 2018. 

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz asked both parties if they would be able to move up Mckinney’s trial date, which is scheduled for November of this year. 

The defense was available on July 13, but the prosecution was not.

The lead prosecutor said she has back to back trials both before and after the November date. 

Mckinney also requested to participate in an automotive certification at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).

Judge Kravitz said the defense must report about the supervision and transportation that will be provided. The defendant has completed prior certification programs at DYRS.

A status hearing is slated for May 29 and a trial readiness hearing is scheduled to occur on Oct. 16. 

Trial is slated to begin on Nov. 2.

This article was written by Julia Smith, Natalie Weber, Matt Nygaard and MiriYam Judd