Murder Trial Pushed Back More Than a Year

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 17, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

Nearly a week before a trial was scheduled to begin, a murder defendant requested to change counsel. As a result, his trial date will be pushed back more than a year.

Sean Hurd is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Antonio Bryant on the 3300 block of D Street, SE in 2015. Bryant, 28, was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to court documents, Hurd, 22, was wearing a Global Positioning System (GPS), which tracked his movement on the night of Bryant’s murder. Apparently, Hurd’s GPS placed him six feet from where police found Bryant suffering from gunshot wounds. 

On Aug. 15, Hurd requested one of his lawyers, Carol Blume, to step down. Both Blume and Hurd spoke to DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson under seal about Hurd’s rationale for dismissing counsel.

Before granting his request, Judge Dayson informed Hurd that by changing counsel there’s a possibility that his trial, which was originally scheduled for Aug. 23, would be pushed back in order to give his new attorney time to prepare. Judge Dayson also told Hurd her next trial vacancy wouldn’t be until 2019.

Per Hurd’s request, the lawyer that was second-chair to Blume, Stephen Brennwald, will now serve as his sole lawyer. Judge Dayson set Hurd’s new trial date for Dec. 9, 2019.

Hurd is scheduled for a status hearing on Oct. 26, when counsel is expected to notify the court of how they would like to proceed with the case.