New Date Set Again for Retrial in Murder Case

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

On April 5 despite defense opposition, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo, for the second time, granted the prosecution their request for a new trial date.

Forty-three-year-old Chad Hawthorne is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in connection to allegedly shooting 35-year-old Antonio Bassett on the 3900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on May 22, 2017.

Hawthrone’s retrial was originally scheduled for February; however, based on the prosecution’s request it was pushed back to August. Defense attorney Jonathan Zucker requested to reschedule the trial due to a schedule conflict; so the trial was again pushed back again to October.

On Wednesday the prosecution requested a new trial date due the prosecution’s family issues, resulting in the retrial being pushed back; a third-time retrial is now scheduled for January 2024.

In March 2022, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun ruled a mistrial after jurors were unable to make a decision during a week of deliberations.

“This is the second continuing in one year now,” Hawthorne said to Judge Demeo. He also stated that he has another trial where he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for stabbing one of his inmates. The trial for the assault charge is slated to happen after the murder trial.

Judge Demeo granted the prosecution their request, stating that they have a good cause.

Zucker informed the court that he might have an opening in June and if he does then he can go to trial then.

Judge Demeo asked him to let the court know as soon as possible and scheduled a status hearing for April 21.

Follow this case