Plea in Play, Marshals Nix Shooting Defendant’s Wish to See Newborn Child

US Marshals refused to let a shooting defendant meet his newborn child during a hearing on March 28, as prosecutors told DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman they had sent over a plea offer to the defense.

Michael Alexander, 19, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting that injured one individual on Feb. 21 on the 300 block of S Street, NE.

During the hearing, prosecutors alerted Judge Edelman they had shared a plea offer with Alexander’s new attorney, Albert Amissah. It would require Alexander to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

Amissah told Judge Edelman they’d discuss the plea with Alexander, and agreed to “toll the clock” meaning extend the indictment deadline.

Amissah also requested Alexander be allowed to meet his four-day old newborn child, and Marshals refused. “Y’all ain’t sh*t,” Alexander could be heard telling the Marshals as they escorted him out of the courtroom.

Parties are slated to reconvene April 9.

Stabbing Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

A defendant in a stabbing case pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on March 26.

Dayon Pratt, 31, was originally charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in stabbing a victim on Oct. 16, 2024 on the 4600 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE.

Defense attorney Darryl Daniels and the prosecution agreed on a plea deal, requiring Pratt to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. In exchange the charge of aggravated assault knowingly while armed was dropped.

Daniels motioned to have sentencing take place on the same day, but Judge Arthur denied it.

They also motioned for pre-sentencing release, citing that Pratt has been incarcerated awaiting trial, and a recent psychiatric evaluation showed that he posed as a low risk to the community, but this motion was also denied.

Parties are set to reconvene for sentencing on May 28.

‘I Went From Pro Athlete to Paraplegic,’ Says Victim

The victim of a non-fatal shooting testified that he anticipated becoming a professional football athlete prior to the incident that left him as a paraplegic during a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on March 25.

Roger Jones, 42, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, fleeing a law enforcement officer, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, threatening to kidnap or injure a person, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting and assault that injured two individuals on January 22, 2022, on the 1400 block of Okie Street, NE.

The prosecution called upon the shooting victim, who sustained gunshot wounds to his chest, back, and upper extremities. At the time, the victim worked at Throw Social, a social venue and bar, as a security manager. On the night of the incident, he received a radio call that a couple was being escorted out of the establishment. Through a window, the victim observed what he described as a “very passionate conversation” between the couple outside, followed by a physical altercation in which the man punched the woman and she was unable to fight back.

After his shift, the victim said he walked to his car with two coworkers he intended to drive home. He moved his bag from the backseat to the trunk of his car, closed the trunk, heard gunshots, and felt pressure in his chest.

“I felt like an elephant was stepping on my chest,” the victim recalled. He testified that the shooter was close because he heard footsteps and saw a figure walking away.

Following the incident, the victim was transported to MedStar Washington Hospital, where he stayed for four months, and underwent multiple surgeries, “Which is why I’m in a wheelchair,” he said, “I went from pro athlete to paraplegic.”

Prosecutors also called Jones’ ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, who testified about the altercation between her and the defendant and him allegedly stealing her car. The victim testified to knowing Jones since 2016, but their relationship ended in 2022.

On the night of the incident, she went to Throw Social with Jones to visit her friend who bartended there. The victim and Jones drank and talked at the bar until she claimed Jones accused her of dancing and trying to show off for other men, she called him jealous, and told him to Uber home. According to the victim, Jones took her car keys, and she called 911 to report her vehicle as stolen.

During her testimony, the victim identified herself and Jones in videos of them at the bar and outside of Throw Social. She testified that Jones returned in her car, exited the car, and hit her. “He put his hand back and he punched me in my face” she said, and recounted that people came to help, Jones re-entered the car, and drove away.

The prosecution played a recording of the 911 phone call that captured the assault victim stating that Jones was driving her car “crazy” as well as the phone dropping after the altercation occurred.

The prosecution also called on the bartender working at Throw Social. This witness also has had a personal relationship with the assault victim, stating that they have been friends for more than 17 years.

The bartender testified that she believed the cause of the argument between Jones and the assault victim was Jones believing that one of the security guards was looking at the woman. The fight escalated into yelling, and the witness asked both to leave the bar or quiet down.

The witness also asserted that the woman originally gave Jones her car keys, telling him to leave because she wanted to stay longer at the bar. However, after Jones left the bar, she changed her mind and decided she wanted her car back.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 26.

Homicide Defendant’s Roommate Says She Reported Him to Police

A homicide defendant’s roommate testified on March 25 that she reported him to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) after seeing him on a lookout image.

Deonte Patterson, 29, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and obstructing justice, with influence or delay of a witness or officer, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Ali Jamil Al-Mahdi, 32, on Aug. 23, 2021, at the 1800 block of 9th Street, NW.

The prosecution called a witness who lived with Patterson in 2023 and reported him to the authorities.

The witness explained that she read a tweet on Jan. 5, 2023, indicating that Patterson and others were wanted. Later that day, she mentioned it to Patterson, who did not react in shock or appear bothered by it. She said she informed the fire station or police and explained everything.

The prosecution called another witness, a security guard who worked near the incident, and provided video footage, which was admitted into evidence.

In the video, several people are seen verbally arguing, one group against another. Someone can be heard yelling “Keep bluffing” repeatedly, and then one individual approaches another and swings at them.

Shortly after the physical altercation, a gunshot is heard, causing people to begin running as the witness hides in place and keeps recording.

Prosecutors also called on an individual who observed the car accident that, according to court documents, occurred the night of the alleged shooting at the intersection of 9th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW. The accident involved Patterson’s vehicle, which was occupied by Patterson, his then-girlfriend and close friend. Two other vehicles were part of the crash.

The witness testified that she was sitting in her car at the intersection when the light turned green. According to the witness, a white vehicle crashed into the vehicle in front of her and flipped upside down. She said that she left her car to see if she could help, and located a woman that was injured and stuck in the car in front of her. Meanwhile, there was no one in the car that had flipped upside down.

According to the witness, two people were standing next to the flipped car, and one person was lying in the grass bleeding heavily.

Afterward, the prosecution recalled a crime scene analyst who conducted a trajectory analysis of the bullet holes in two cars damaged during the accident. According to his analysis, either the vehicle, the shooter, or both were moving at the time of the shots due to the varying angles of the trajectories.

Parties are expected to reconvene on March 26 before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan.

Judge Grants Special Release for Stabbing Defendant Despite Prosecution’s Objection

DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel granted a stabbing defendant’s request for release under special conditions despite objection from the prosecution on March 26.

Michael Burke, 45, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing during a street fight on the 1700 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE, on April 16, 2024.

Prior to this hearing, on March 19, Burke was found competent to stand trial and was granted release under certain conditions by Judge Israel despite the prosecution’s request that Burke remain held. Part of the conditions Burke was released under include weekly check-ins with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

In court Thursday, a representative from PSA said Burke had not been in contact with the agency. Judge Israel heard this and decided to transfer Burke to a special supervision team that would be more focused and work with Burke’s mental health provider.

The prosecution opposed this, stating that Burke was not a good candidate for release and in no way was he in perfect compliance with the conditions of release set before him. They requested he be detained.

Parties are slated to reconvene May 12.

Shooting Victim Has Proof Child’s Mother Shot Him, Detective Says

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson heard testimony from a detective regarding the victim’s recollection of a shooting incident during a March 21 hearing.

Tyshay Moore, 27, and Javonee Jackson, 25, are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, conspiracy, and simple assault for their alleged involvement in a shooting that injured one individual. The incident occurred on May 10, 2023, on the 700 Block of 7th Street, NW.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that he was the individual who went to interview the victim two days after the incident.

During the interview, the witness testified that the victim knew his assailants prior to the incident and had a child with Jackson. The victim also allegedly stated that his child’s mother’s ex-girlfriend, Moore, was also one of the people who assaulted him, but could not confirm who shot him.

According to the detective, the victim had video proof of the altercation, stating that the video shows Jackson, Moore, and another unidentified person assaulting him.

The defense began their cross examination but was stopped short due to time. Judge Dayson scheduled the motion hearing to continue on April 10 in order for the defense to finish their cross examination.

Trial is slated to begin on April 15.

Witness to Non-Fatal Shooting Says She Didn’t See Shooter

A witness to a non-fatal shooting told a jury March 26 that she didn’t see the shooter during a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson.

Roger Jones, 42, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, simple assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, threat to kidnap or injure a person, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and fleeing from law enforcement. This is for his alleged involvement in a shooting and assault that left two victims injured on the 1400 block of Okie Street, NE on Jan. 22, 2022.

The prosecution called an eyewitness who briefly met two people, allegedly Jones and his girlfriend who was one of the victims on the night of the incident. The witness also worked with the other victim.

She testified that she witnessed the two individuals she met fighting after they left the building. She was later waiting in her coworker’s car when she heard gunshots.

Jones’ attorney, Carrie Weletz, questioned the witness on exactly what she had seen that night. She said could not recall much about what the man she met that night looked like beyond having a beard and dark skin.

She said she did not see the two people arguing while inside the restaurant, only seeing the fight occur outside. She also slumped down in the car when she heard the shots, so she was not able to see the shooter.

A crime scene analyst from the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) who photographed the scene and collected evidence, including cartridge casings and clothing, said a projectile fell out of the clothing during his examination.

Weletz noted during her cross-examination that the DFS analyst is not aware of if any evidence had been moved around, as much of it was in the street that remained open until the police were able to secure the scene.

Prosecution also called a witness who reviewed phone records related to the case, who explained that one of the numbers investigated had 40 missed calls on the day of the incident.

She stated that records showed the calls went straight to voicemail due to the phone being either shut down, on airplane mode, or not charged.

A member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST) completed a data analysis report from two phone numbers provided by the prosecution. He testified that there was activity from both phones on the 1400 block of Okie Street, NE at the time of the shooting.

He testified that the phone number belonging to Jones’ co-defendant, Riley Benjamin, was unable to be traced in the hours following the shooting. Benjamin pleaded guilty August to two counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed.

During cross examination, Weletz confirmed with the witness that the locations are a “general approximation of where the cell phone is,” rather than an exact location.

“A cell phone is a cell phone, not a person,” Weletz told the jury.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 27.

‘I Think He Deserves More Than This Agreement,’ Judge Says During Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced a defendant to 18 years in prison on March 27 for his involvement in a fatal shooting.

On Nov. 22, 2024, Rashon Hall, 29, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Joseph Simmons on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, on Jan. 3, 2021.

According to court documents, Hall aided and abetted another individual by driving them to and from the murder scene.

During the hearing, prosecutors read a letter submitted by Simmons’ aunt, in which she said Simmons was “a good kid and father.” According to Simmons’ aunt, he had his whole life ahead of him, adding his loss has left a deep hole in their family.

“I pray for you, young man, that you turn your life around, cause Jojo don’t have that opportunity,” the aunt’s statement read.

Prosecutors requested Judge O’Keefe sentence Hall to 18 years, citing the seriousness of the offense. According to the prosecution, cell site evidence and videos show Hall’s blue vehicle picking someone up from the Garfield Heights neighborhood, driving them to the shooting scene, waiting for them, and driving them back seconds after the murder occurred.

Hall did everything in his power to hide his involvement in the incident, the prosecutor said, explaining he painted his blue vehicle black before dumping it in the Garfield Heights neighborhood two days after the homicide.

They also stated that when a witness asked him how Simmons died over Instagram messages, Hall responded with three shrugging emojis.

“This crime only happens because of the driver,” the prosecution insisted, adding that Hall “allowed the shooter to escape identification and a capture.”

Judge O’Keefe questioned if it had been an option to have Hall help identify the shooter as part of his plea agreement. “That’s always an option,” the prosecutor told him.

Dana Page, Hall’s attorney, asked Judge O’Keefe to impose a 13-year sentence, stating Hall took responsibility for his involvement.

“He did the things that he did to cover it up, but in the end he took responsibility,” Page said, stating Hall has been attempting to change his life around during his incarceration.

According to Page, Hall experienced, observed, and suffered violence growing up, and “it’s a phenomenon we as a society need to deal with,” regarding individuals who sustained violence and continue to cause more of it.

“He’s doing what he needs to do to become a better person,” Page told Judge O’Keefe.

“I need to help me before I can help others,” Hall said, apologizing to Simmons’ family for their loss, and requesting Judge O’Keefe recommend programs that will help him become a role model for the community’s youth.

“I’m interested in being better,” he said. “God has his way of humbling us.”

Judge O’Keefe stated Hall was “enticed by the life he got involved in,” citing his prior arrests for illegal possessions of a firearm and his involvement in the marijuana trade.

Judge O’Keefe imposed an 18 year sentence, stating there are no mitigating factors that would require a more lenient sentence.

“He did not assist in the apprehension of the shooter,” Judge O’Keefe noted, adding “I think he deserves more than this agreement. He’s getting a lenient sentence in my mind.”

Hall was ordered to participate in mental health and substance abuse assessments and treatment, grief and trauma counseling, vocational training, and a violence reduction program.

“I hope you have changed and continue to better yourself,” Judge O’Keefe told Hall, adding “Good luck, Mr. Hall.”

No further dates were set.

Judge Informs Shooting Defendant About Importance of Compliance

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park told a shooting defendant that he needs to remain compliant with the terms of his release after he was late to curfew multiple times during a hearing on March 26.

Alonzo Brown, 28, and Naquel Henderson, 27, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill, and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Michael Taylor and the shooting of two other victims on Jan. 12, 2019, on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.

A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) alerted Judge Park of a few curfew violations by Brown.

Judge Park told Brown that he would not face consequences for being late a few times because it was less than five minutes each time and the only action of non-compliance, but if it continued or he is non-compliant in other ways, they will have to rediscuss.

The parties discussed the need to move forward with the case because it is an old case and discussed possible trial dates. The prosecution anticipates the trial to last three weeks, with over 140 pieces of evidence and about 35 witnesses, including three experts.

Henderson’s defense attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, filed a motion to suppress ID in this case in 2021. Brown’s attorney, Steven Kiersh, is filing a motion to suppress evidence found on his cellphone from a search warrant, stating the search warrant was not valid due to the timeframe and other information. Judge Park will rule on these motions at the next meeting.

Of the five suspects charged in the case, Stephon Evans, 24, pleaded guilty in April 2022, Tavist Alston, 31, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in May 2022. Carlos Turner, 26, is scheduled for a sentencing on May 16, 2025.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 18.

Testimony Continues in Homicide Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan heard details of a shooting-related car accident as a four-year-old homicide case’s trial continued on March 26.

An employee from the Department of Corrections (DoC) testified about communications from the DC Jail, stating that calls, videos, and text messages were recorded and monitored.

She said there is a multi-factor identification system for making calls, but DoC employees cannot know for sure if an inmate is using someone else’s pin to make calls. Her testimony will be used to introduce calls from the DC Jail.

Patterson’s defense attorney, Cheryl Stein, also argued that there was not a clear definition of premeditated murder in this case.

Judge Ryan adjourned court early, in order to give the defense time to go over exhibits and prepare for the next day of trial.

“You should spend the night obsessing over this case,” Judge Ryan told Stein.

Trial is slated to resume March 27.

Professor Criticizes Expert’s Testimony on DNA Evidence in Homicide Case

A biostatistics professor criticized a forensic scientist’s testimony on DNA evidence involved in a homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on March 25.

Kavon Young, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of John Pernell, 66. The incident took place on July 3, 2010, during a robbery at a cookout on the 3000 block of Nelson Place, SE. According to court documents, multiple armed men allegedly assaulted attendees and stole personal belongings.

In court, Mani Golzari, Young’s attorney, began his continued motion to exclude DNA evidence by calling a professor of biostatistics, who had evaluated the 14 studies the prosecution’s expert used to reach his opinions in the case.

The professor said she went through each of the 14 studies to try and find evidence that supported any of the four claims the expert was making in this case. She concluded that none of the studies speak to the four claims in a scientifically valid or supporting way.

The professor also said the studies relied on convenience, did not look at proper sample sizes, did not look at whether those samples were representative of the relevant population, and did not factor in potential uncertainty. She claimed the prosecution’s expert “made sweeping claims based on eyeballing studies” and not doing actual data analysis.

Golzari and the professor then went through each study, showing the court the problems prevalent in each one.

“The point of statistics isn’t that you eyeball two numbers, you run a hypothesis test,” she said. She ended by stating that these studies do not speak to the expert’s claims in a high quality manner.

A forensic DNA consultant also testified that he believed the prosecution’s DNA expert had used an inappropriate and outdated method of DNA analysis to reach his conclusions pertaining to DNA evidence found under fingernails in the case.

He cited articles from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the American Statistical Association (ASA) that supported his statements.

In response, the prosecutor said that just because you adopt new techniques, it doesn’t mean the old technique is obsolete.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 27.

Stabbing Defendant Denied Release After Reaching Plea Agreement

A stabbing defendant was denied release after accepting a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel on March 26.

Lukas Nawrocki, 19, was originally charged with assault with significant bodily injury for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Feb. 1 at the intersection of 23rd and L Street, NW.

According to the prosecution, Nawrocki approached a random man on a bike and punched him. When the man tried to retaliate, Nawrocki pulled out scissors and stabbed him multiple times.

In court, Pleasant Brodnax III, Nawrocki’s attorney, announced Nawrocki’s intention to accept a plea agreement. The plea would require Nawrocki to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. These sentences are to be served concurrently.

Brodnax requested that Nawrocki be granted home release with electronic monitoring. He asked that they let Nawrocki, “remedy whatever problem he has,” in the safety and security of his home.

The prosecution replied stating that the facts of the case are particularly troubling. An unprovoked attack with scissors causes concern for the safety of the community.

Judge Israel agreed stating that at present, she can’t find that he’s not a danger to the community. Nawrocki was denied release at this time.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 12.

‘My Eyes Were Closed the Whole Time,’ Eyewitness Says in Murder Trial

An eyewitness testified she heard gunshots and closed her eyes in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on March 24.

Deonte Patterson, 29, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and obstructing justice by influencing or delaying of a witness or officer for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Ali Jamil Al-Mahdi on Aug. 23, 2021, on the 1800 block of 9th Street NW.

The prosecution called an eyewitness, Patterson’s on-and-off girlfriend since 2018, who testified that she went to Mirrors, a night club on the U Street Corridor, with Patterson the night of the incident. She worked as a bartender at Mirrors, and explained that security did not pat-down her or Patterson before they entered the club that night.

The witness identified herself, Patterson, and another male in videos inside Mirrors and leaving the club together.

The witness explained that after leaving the club she observed Al-Mahdi outside with a group of people on the sidewalk. She said he followed them as they walked from the club to Patterson’s white Mercedes. When near the Mercedes, she said Patterson loudly told her to get in the car multiple times before she entered the front passenger seat.

She said she did not observe Patterson holding a gun, but was not focused on his hands.

After the witness entered the car, she said she heard gunshots. “My eyes were closed the whole time,” she said.

The witness said she did not see who fired the shots, explaining she was afraid because she recalled a previous interaction between Al-Mahdi and Patterson.

According to the witness, she knew of Al-Mahdi and was present when he previously shot Patterson. She also was aware of rumors that she had a romantic interaction with Al-Mahdi, which Patterson asked her about and she denied.

Prosecutors played phone calls between Patterson and the witness in which the defendant says “you don’t gotta say sh*t” and tells the witness the prosecutors are trying to trick her. She also testified that Patterson told her to say she did not know anything during her Grand Jury testimony.

The prosecution called another eyewitness, Patterson’s close friend since high school, who testified that he worked as a security guard at Mirrors. On the night of the incident, the witness explained he left with Patterson and his girlfriend because Patterson was going to drive the witness home. The witness testified that “People started shooting at us” once they were in the car.

The prosecution asked if the witness was distracted that night, and he confirmed that his focus was on the mother of his child who was expected to give birth that day.

Prosecutors also called a Lyft driver, who testified that the night of the incident his car was stopped at the intersection of T and 9th Street, NW where he witnessed a male and a female walking towards a white sedan.

The witness described the male as tall, with dreads, a light-complexion, dressed in all black, and a “slender build” and the female as short compared to the male. The witness added that the male had a semiautomatic compact firearm along the side of his body while he walked with a “casual” demeanor. He said he heard the male tell the female to “get into the car.”

The witness continued, “If I see a gun out of place that becomes my focus” to explain why he kept driving. The Lyft driver said he heard gunshots, pulled his car over, heard screeching of tires, and observed a white sedan followed closely by a tan or brown SUV speeding past him. The witness added that he also heard a woman screaming loudly and crying.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective said he searched for Patterson for almost a year after the arrest warrant was issued. The detective arrested Patterson at an address in Prince George County, Md.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 25.

Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Offer Again

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt heard a homicide defendant reject a plea offer for the second time on March 21.

Walter Jenkins, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, and carrying a rifle or shotgun outside a home or business. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the death of David Williams, 52, on the 2000 block of Bruce Place, SE, on Nov. 14, 2021.

The prosecution re-offered a previous plea deal on the record from February 2024, which would require Jenkins to plead guilty to second-degree murder and assault with a dangerous weapon, dismissing all other charges.

With the agreement, the parties would have agreed to a sentencing range of 16 to 23 years of incarceration. By rejecting the plea, Jenkins could face more than 30 years if found guilty at trial.

Jenkins’ defense attorney, Dominique Winters, also informed the court that the defense would be conducting its own DNA testing of certain items placed in evidence by the prosecution. The defense explained that it would not disclose what it sent for testing until Jenkins has his Innocence Protection Act (IPA) hearing.

The hearing ensures the preservation of evidence and grants convicted individuals the right to DNA testing to support claims of innocence.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 28.

Trial is slated to begin Aug. 4.

Judge Denies Motion for Continuance in Murder Case

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied a motion for a trial continuance in a co-defendant murder case on March 21.

Terrance Oxner, 23, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed offenses committed during release, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence offenses committed during release, assault with intent to kill offenses committed during release while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed offenses committed during release, unlawful possession of a firearm offenses committed during release, and conspiracy for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting that occurred on the 1400 block of Good Hope Road, SE on Jan. 25, 2021.

Aaron Adgerson, 19, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and conspiracy for his alleged involvement in the same incident.

The incident resulted in the death of 22-year-old Edward Wade.

During Friday’s hearing, Oxner’s defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, requested the trial date, currently scheduled for June 2 be continued in order for her to find another attorney to serve as co-counsel.

As a defense attorney for the Public Defender Service (PDS), Harvey is unable to work with attorneys outside of the agency. According to Harvey, PDS is independent of the judiciary counsels, so her co-counsel must be from PDS. Harvey said that there is a potential attorney who is available later in the year to join the case.

Adgerson’s defense attorney, Stephen Logerfo, said he wouldn’t be opposed to a continuance. However, Adgerson is currently serving a sentence, so the continuance would need to end before the sentence ends.

The prosecution argued that the cases are old and there have already been two continuances granted. In addition, the prosecution expressed that a lengthy continuance could interfere with the scheduled trial date.

Judge Kravitz decided to maintain the current trial date due to the age of the cases and their procedural history. He denied the motion for continuance, adding that PDS should figure out the issue of a potential co-counsel on their own.

Parties are expected to reconvene on May 2.

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