Murder Defendant’s Trial Rescheduled Deeper Into 2025

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DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt pushed a murder’s defendant’s trial even later into next year because of scheduling conflicts with another trial in a hearing on Aug. 12.

Howard Fritts, 58, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the murder of Charlie Miller, 46, on May 29, 2022, on the 900 block of 9th Street, NW.

During the hearing, Judge Brandt said she needs to “pivot” Fritts’ trial date, originally set for April 7, 2025, because she has another trial set for April 8, 2025. Parties decided to reset the trial date for Nov. 17, 2025.

According to court documents, Fritts allegedly shot Miller in the head in addition to inflicting other abrasions to his elbows, knees and face and a laceration to his forehead ultimately killing him. When Fritts spoke with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers after his arrest on June 1, 2022, he said he got into a physical fight after he asked Miller to stop recording him on his phone.

Fritts also denied having shot Miller, saying he had never “shot a gun a day in his life,” according to court documents.

Parties are set to reconvene on Jan. 10, 2025, for a trial readiness hearing.