The Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrest of 19-year-old Malachi Davarchi Mack, who is allegedly charged with second-degree murder while armed in a fatal shooting that took place on Oct. 7, in the 100 block of T Street, NE. Upon responding to reports of a shooting, officers discovered the victim, identified as 29-year-old Taquan Turner, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
During closing arguments in a trial of two-of-five juveniles accused of stomping an elderly, disabled man to death, the prosecutor said the crime was “a premeditated, deliberate attempt to end his life.”
The group of co-defendants, girls aged 12-to-15 at the time of the attack, are charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon for their alleged involvement in the fatal beating of 64-year-old Reggie Brown.
The incident occurred late at night on Oct. 17, 2023, on the 6200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.
During the proceeding before DC Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs on Oct. 29, the prosecutor reviewed evidence in the case including a 55-second cell phone video purportedly taken by one of the suspects showing them celebrating the beating.
“This is glee,” said the prosecutor.
“These are the girls that were all together in Mr. Brown’s homicide,” said the prosecutor as she argued for a first-degree murder and conspiracy conviction.
While the prosecution summarized “a mountain of video evidence” in the form of surveillance footage of the darkened alley off of Georgia Avenue where Brown’s, bloodied, lifeless body was found and gruesome autopsy pictures depicting holes in Brown’s skull, the core of the case against a 14-year-old defendant was four devastating blows to the victim’s head.
“You kicked his head like it was a soccer ball,” said the prosecutor, noting that the defendant lingered on a fence in the alley for some 20 seconds before allegedly jumping on Brown then landing the blows
“She was choosing. She was premeditating,” said the prosecutor. Regarding the other suspect who was 12-years-old at the time, the prosecutor said,”She wanted to make sure she hit him as much as possible,” pulling a hood off Brown’s head.
Brown was said to be five feet, five inches tall, weighing only 110 pounds and suffering from numerous medical issues.
“How scared Mr. Brown felt when he saw six people running after him,” said the prosecutor.
Surveillance video shows a man in a blue coat who committed the initial assault on Brown and encouraged the five girls to help in the beating. The individual has never been identified.
During the trial, which started in August, the prosecution introduced binders full of social media messages, in particular from Instagram accounts, suggesting that the juveniles were aware that they allegedly committed murder and conspired to get rid of incriminating evidence on a cell phone.
Earlier in the hearing, attorneys for the two defendants in the courtroom filed motions for a judgment of acquittal.
“None of the girls brought a weapon to the scene,” said Geofffrey Harris on behalf of his 13-year-old client. “We would turn every garden variety assault into an attempted murder,” if the court accepted the prosecution’s argument, said Harris. He said his client had no intention of killing anyone, even though the group was looking for a fight.
“They cannot prove there was a conspiracy to commit first and second-degree murder. They have to prove there was a specific intent to kill,” argued Charlotte Gilliland, attorney for the 14-year-old.
”The last four strong stomps. I can make that intent,” said Judge Briggs. “The court can make a finding of deliberation,” said the Judge in denying the acquittal motions.
In her closing for the 14-year-old accused of the stomping, co-counsel Victoria Clark argued it was a case of mistaken identity. She cited flaws in the photo ID of the suspects saying that a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective prompted a witness to identify her client.
Further, Clark claimed the detective didn’t initially identify himself as a police officer when he met the girl for what turned out to be a recorded interview.
“[The fourteen-year-old] was not there the night of the murder.” She questioned the lack of DNA evidence in the case. Clark further observed that a key witness for the prosecution, a 15-year-old juvenile, contradicted some of her statements, and was incentivized with a plea deal in return for her testimony.
“She had a motive to lie,” said Clark, who called the evidence “unreliable, untrustworthy and frankly unacceptable.”
“[The juvenile] was not given a deal for her testimony. “There’s no additional benefit,” said the prosecutor.
Judge Briggs said she would review the evidence and deliver her verdict from the bench on Nov. 18.
A murder defendant, who was allegedly the getaway driver in a murder incident, claimed that he had no knowledge of the shooter’s intentions, stating “[I] thought I was about to buy some drugs,” during testimony in an Oct. 28 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.
Juan Peterson, 34, is charged with first degree murder while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, second-degree cruelty to children, and two counts of accessory after the fact while armed, all committed while on release, for his alleged role in a May 15, 2021 mass shooting on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. Lester Howard, 28, was killed and three others were wounded in the incident.
Peterson testified that on the day of the incident, he believed he was going to purchase drugs from someone he had dealt with before stating that he “knew he had what I was looking for.”
Believing this person was not a threat, Peterson testified, he left his firearm on the passenger seat of his personal vehicle while reaching for cash to consummate the deal. Turning back around, Peterson found his acquaintance allegedly holding Peterson’s gun and wearing a face mask.
“I thought he was going to rob me,” Peterson claimed.
Peterson stated that the man ran away from his car out of his line of sight. He affirmed hearing three to four gunshots, but that he could not see the gun or shooter as they rang out. The “trigger man” then returned to the car, saying “open the door” followed by “go, go, go, drive.”
“if I didn’t comply… he would’ve shot me.” testified Peterson.
Peterson also testified that growing up in Northeast DC in a community nicknamed “Little Vietnam,” he was surrounded by drugs and guns, using and selling drugs himself as well as carrying his own firearm for personal protection nearly everyday.
In acknowledgement of his past convictions, Peterson described the process of drug deals and firearm trades, stating that it has to be quick and is often done through a handshake so that it “looks like a friendly gesture”. Furthermore, there is often little negotiation between parties, “you kinda know your clientele,” Peterson stated.
The prosecution asked Peterson about seeming inconsistencies in his testimony during cross examination– they produced text conversations revealing Peterson confirming purchases of multiple firearms at once despite Peterson’s claiming to only own one gun.
The prosecution also persisted in asking about Peterson’s failure to be forthcoming with police during the mass shooting investigation.
Peterson stated that he lied to detectives investigating the homicide, telling them he didn’t know anything about the shooting or potential suspects asserting during testimony. He claimed he “froze up … [and] panicked” when talking to police.
“I didn’t want to openly admit to buying drugs … I wanted to get out of there,” Peterson told his attorney, Daniel Kovler, when asked why he lied to authorities for so long.
Peterson’s trial will continue on Oct. 29.
A jury found a murder defendant guilty on all charges in a Sept. 18 trial before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.
Darius Anderson, 23, was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license for the fatal shooting of Israel Mattocks, 30, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, on June 15, 2022. Anderson was also found guilty of a second count of carrying a pistol without a license for the handgun police found on him at the time of his arrest on July 11, 2022, on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE.
During trial, Anderson said he agreed to purchase a pair of shoes for Mattocks in exchange for $10 but failed to follow through. After Mattocks angrily confronted him. Anderson said he purchased the shoes and walked home.
Anderson later returned with a gun.
Anderson’s attorney, Wole Falodun, argued Anderson was acting in self-defense when he shot Mattocks. Falodun said Mattocks had a firearm in his waistband and Anderson feared for his life.
The prosecution argued that Mattocks posed no threat to Anderson as he exited the store because his hands were full of shopping bags and his phone. They said Anderson planned Mattocks’ death and lay in wait for him outside the store.
Anderson’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 20.
A homicide defendant’s attorney requested DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein transfer his client from the DC Jail to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital on Oct. 25, claiming that the defendant is being “tortured” at the jail.
Asmerom Ghebrekidan, 53, is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in the death of 41-year-old Fitsum Mamo and the assault of another individual on May 25, 2023, on the 1900 block of 14th Street, SE.
During the hearing, Jason Tulley, Ghebrekidan’s attorney, described Ghebrekidan’s jail conditions to be similar to solitary confinement, stating that recently he has only been let out of his cell for one hour every day.
He noted that this is especially concerning when considering Ghebrekidan’s already poor mental state and language barrier, making it difficult to communicate with the few people he comes in contact with.
The defense requested that Ghebrekidan be moved back to St. Elizabeths Hospital, so he could be ready for his competency hearing. Counsel explained that honest results of the competency hearing heavily rely on Ghebrekidan’s transfer from jail as the physiological concerns pose grounds for inaccurate results.
“Even if he was left there, I still don’t think he could be considered competent enough to stand trial,” stated Tulley.
Judge Epstein requested another hearing to get information from the Department of Corrections, which the defense and prosecution agreed to.
Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 22.
A stabbing defendant received his sentence before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Oct 25.
Raymond Watson, 45, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his involvement in the stabbing of a longtime friend with a pocket knife on Feb. 16 on the 2000 block of Q Street, SE.
On Aug. 9, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.
During the hearing, the prosecution requested Judge Epstein impose the maximum sentence of five years with three years of supervised release, citing the nature and circumstances of the offense.
Defense attorney Micheal Bruckheim requested the judge sentence Watson to the lower end of the sentencing guidelines — two years in prison with three years of supervised release with credit for time served.
Bruckheim requested that Judge Epstein take into consideration Watson’s forthcoming, willingness to take responsibility, and desire for mental health, drug abuse, and anger management resources that would become available to him when he is released.
Judge Epstein acknowledged Watson’s humility, saying “the victim started the altercation and verbally threatened him, he [Watson] escalated the situation.”
Judge Epstein pointed out that even with this acknowledgement, he would still have to consider his criminal history and lack of compliance while on release.
Watson was sentenced to four years incarceration with three years of supervised release with the addition of intervention plans while on parole.
Watson expressed that “being locked up” helped him in regards to his drug addiction, which was not only hurting himself but also his family.
“This court saved my life…thank you,” replied Watson in his emotional statement to the court.
No further dates were set.
DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a murder defendant’s request for release on Oct. 25, and delayed the ruling for two of his co-defendants.
Steven Metts, 19, Keondre Carroll, 21, and Jovontae Wallace, 19, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed and two counts of kidnapping while armed for their alleged involvement in shooting of 59-year-old Raymond Ballard on Jan. 23. The incident occurred on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.
Metts also faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a rifle or shotgun outside a home or place of business, possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device and an additional count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Carroll also faces charges of carrying a pistol outside a home or business, assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device.
According to court Marshals, Carroll refused to come to court. His lawyer, Gemma Stevens, asked the court to refrain from ruling on his request for release until he is present. Judge Raffinan granted this request.
Metts’ lawyer, Kevin Irving, asked that Metts be released under home confinement with GPS monitoring, citing that he is a 19-year-old with no criminal history and has a supportive family he could stay with.
The prosecution countered Irving’s request, arguing the nature and circumstance of the crime favor detention as an innocent bystander was killed. The prosecution added that Metts’ family previously helped him evade police and there is strong evidence against Metts, including social media evidence and surveillance footage.
Judge Raffinan agreed with the prosecution that the nature and circumstance of the crime and weight of the evidence favor detention, citing that 24 shots were fired, an innocent bystander is dead, and surveillance footage and witnesses corroborate that Metts was one of the shooters.
Judge Rafinnan ruled that Metts will remain detained while awaiting trial.
Wallace’s lawyer, Megan Allburn, argued that Wallace be released under home confinement, citing that there is no evidence Wallace was a shooter.
Allburn stated that the prosecution is arguing that Wallace did not prevent the shooting but that not preventing a shooting is completely different from committing murder. She said the prosecution is treating the three co-defendants interchangeably.
Allburn referenced that Wallace has no criminal history, a supportive family, and a stable home to stay at while under confinement.
The prosecution responded to Allburn’s claims by arguing that Wallace’s support system did nothing to stop him from the alleged 28-day reign of terror he and his co-defendants were allegedly involved in.
According to the prosecution, one witness saw Wallace with a gun and it is possible Wallace was a shooter. The prosecution also argued that even if Wallace was not a shooter, he was the driver and part of the conspiracy.
Judge Raffinan requested more time to consider counsels’ arguments and to evaluate the weight of the evidence against Wallace.
She ruled that Wallace will remain held until she rules on his motion for release at his next hearing scheduled for Oct. 30.
Parties for Carroll, Wallace, and Mets are slated to reconvene on April 25.
DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced a murder and robbery defendant to 16-and-a-half years of incarceration with all but 14 years suspended, during a hearing on Oct. 25.
On Jan. 5, Jamari Payne, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the shooting of 57-year-old Bacilio Villatoro on Sept. 22, 2022, on the 3000 block of Adams Street, NE.
As part of the plea agreement, parties agreed to a sentencing range of 10 to 22 years.
Payne also pleaded guilty to robbery for his involvement in an incident that took place two days prior on Sept. 20, 2022, on the 5300 block of Jay Street, NE.
During the hearing, the prosecution explained that Villatoro was at work as a tree trimmer on the day of the incident. According to the prosecution, Villatoro and his coworkers noticed Payne trying to steal from their truck. Following an interaction, Payne went to his car and retrieved a firearm.
None of the workers followed Payne and fled when they saw a gun. Payne fired four times and struck Villatoro in the back as he was fleeing, killing him, the prosecution said.
The prosecution played a video for the court that showed Payne kneeling on one knee and firing a gun with both hands into the alleyway where the truck was parked.
Villatoro’s two sons and other family members were present.
One of Villatoro’s sons said his father was always there for him and his family and urged them all to do good and not bad. He described his father as a hard worker who never got involved in anything bad. He concluded by asking for justice and the harshest possible sentence.
The man that owned the house Villatoro and his colleagues were working at on the day of the incident also addressed the court. He the incident as “terrifying” and said he struggles with knowing it could have been anyone who was struck that day.
He said Villatoro was a great help to the community and they would often talk about their families together, describing Villatoro as a man who wanted to provide for his family. He concluded by asking the court to keep the defendant out of the community, stating, “our community and our country deserve better.”
The prosecution then read a victim impact statement from the victim of the Sept. 20 robbery. According to the prosecution, Payne pulled a gun on the victim and stole his phone and wallet.
In the statement, the victim described being “paralyzed with fear” and said the “trauma marked and changed my life.” He wrote about developing anxiety, struggling to socialize and work, and feeling weak and vulnerable in public.
The prosecution addressed another robbery that occurred on Sept. 24, 2022, as part of consideration for sentencing. Payne admitted to this robbery but he charge is being dropped as part of the plea deal.
The prosecution played a video of this incident for the court, which occurred at night at a convenience store. The video shows Payne robbing two college students and pistol whipping one of them.
“I didn’t mean for someone to die – It wasn’t my intention,” Payne’s defense attorney, Jason Tulley quoted Payne.
He said everyone working with Payne believes he shows great remorse and the shooting is not who Payne is.
Tulley attributed Payne’s actions that day to his struggles with drug addiction and mental health and that these incidents are the “tragic” result of a “spiral.”
He said Payne was not conscious when he fired at Villatoro because his brain was “soaked in drugs.”
Tulley explained that Payne lived two separate lives with his mother and his father. Payne’s father “showed him the streets,” and Payne began using drugs and alcohol at twelve years old, according to Tulley.
Payne’s father suddenly passed in 2018, which profoundly impacting him. Tulley said Payne struggles with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but never got the help he needed.
Tulley referred to a statement from Payne’s grandmother where she described him as an excellent student and churchgoer who if “given a chance he could be a great asset to the community.”
He noted that Payne is bettering his life in jail by taking college classes and is a loving father to four children. Payne’s children and multiple family members were also present in court.
“I ended someone’s life and my own life that day,” Payne told Judge Raffinan, referencing the shooting of Villatoro. He added, “I hate myself for it” and described being haunted by the incident and crying himself to sleep.
“Drug addiction got the best of my mental health that day,” he said.
He stated that he cannot believe he took someone’s life and couldn’t believe it was him when shown videos of the incidents.
Judge Rafinnan apologized to Villatoro’s sons and everyone else impacted. She acknowledged that no sentence would make up for the loss and trauma experienced.
She claimed she would take into account all the victim impact statements and Payne’s struggles, including mental health disorders, drug addiction, the loss of his father, and exposure to community and family violence.
Judge Raffinan sentenced Payne to 16-and-a-half years with all but 14 years suspended for the murder of Villatoro and three years with all but two years suspended for the robbery. These sentences will run concurrently to each other as agreed to in the plea agreement.
There are no further dates set.
A mother and son duo charged with murder accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors on Oct. 24, a week before their trial was scheduled to begin in front of DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.
Jaquell Jackson, 21, and Chakeatia Jackson, 40, were originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Tarshaqua Chappell on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE, on Sept. 15, 2021.
Jaquell was also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the incident.
During the hearing, Errin Scialpi and Tammy Thom, Chakeatia’s attorneys, and Brian McDaniel, Jaquell’s attorney, alerted Judge Raffinan that the defendants would be accepting a plea deal.
Through the deal, Chakeatia was required to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. In exchange, the prosecution dismissed all other charges.
Similarly, Jaquell’s deal required him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. In return, the prosecution dropped the possession of a firearm during a crime of violence charge and agreed to a sentencing range of 12-to-15 years.
Additionally, prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges in connection to a jail stabbing.
Parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing on Feb. 14.
DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein granted a homicide defendant’s request to sever from their co-defendant on Oct. 25.
Tamera Brown, 28, and Robert Baskerville, 31, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Darron Holmes II, which occurred on April 16, 2022, on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.
Brown also faces two counts of threat to kidnap or injure a person, assault with intent to kill while armed, and obstruction of justice. Baskerville also faces conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license.
During the hearing, Judge Epstein granted Brown’s motion to sever from Baskerville that argued that “there are no text messages between Ms. Brown and Mr. Baskerville showing a plan or scheme to assault or kill [Holmes].”
Baskerville “is therefore a potentially valuable exculpatory witness” for Brown, McDaniel said. The defense in Brown’s case plans to call Baskerville as a witness at the trial.
Judge Epstein granted the request, and scheduled a trial for Baskerville on Aug. 24, 2026, and one for Brown on Oct. 5, 2026.
DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo declared a mistrial in a defendant’s non-fatal shooting case on Aug. 20 for reasons that were not disclosed.
Andrew Parsons, 29, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and a felony charge of carrying a dangerous weapon. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred on June 26, 2023, on the 800 block of Southern Avenue, SE.
According to court documents, Parsons was involved in an argument with a person he knew and shot him several times in the legs. The victim’s injuries required surgery.
Following the mistrial, a new prosecutor took over the case.
A new jury trial is set for Nov. 4.
DC Superior Judge Erik Christian ordered a carjacking defendant be detained on Oct. 28, following a report that stated he had been non-compliant with his release conditions.
Richard Bates, 17, is being charged with armed carjacking, robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and three counts of possession of firearm during crime of violence while armed. The charges stemmed from his alleged involvement in a carjacking on the 1600 block of Frankford Street, SE, which occurred on Sept. 13, 2023. One individual sustained injuries to the head.
Bates is charged as an adult under Title 16.
According to court documents, two suspects, one of which was later identified as Bates, pulled up to the victim’s car as he was retrieving items from the car. The two armed suspects exited a white sedan, with one suspect demanding all of the victims belongings. After complying, one suspect hit the victim in the head with a firearm, and both suspects drove away in the victims car and the white sedan.
During the hearing, the prosecution raised the issue of Bates being noncompliant for check-ins with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). A representative from PSA confirmed his noncompliance, saying Bates failed to show up to check-ins multiple times. The representative requested that his probation be revoked.
Bates’ defense attorney, Christen Romero Phillips, argued she was under the presumption that Bates had been attending those meetings. According to Phillips, a change in probation officers affected Bates and his checkin scheduling.
Judge Christian proceeded to agree with the prosecution and PSA, detaining Bates.
Parties are currently in plea negotiations and set to reconvene on Nov. 4
A convicted murderer is awaiting sentencing after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter during August trial before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.
Jason Lewis, 42, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, three counts of possession of firearm during crime of violence, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in the shooting of 13-year-old Karon Blake on the 1000 Block of Quincy Street, NE on Jan 7, 2023.
The jury convicted Lewis of all the weapons charges. He was found guilty of the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter instead of second-degree murder while armed.
Throughout the trial, Edward Ungvarsky, Lewis’ attorney, argued that Lewis was merely defending his family from a threat, and that hetried saving Blake by giving him CPR. Ungvarsky said Lewis did not intend to kill the boy.
The prosecution argued that Blake’s actions of breaking into a car did not justify a shooting, especially because of the fact that Blake was just a kid.
Lewis’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22.
DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe rejected Oct. 28 a non-fatal shooting defendant’s request for release, despite his co-defendant being granted home confinement.
Donte Bennett, 26, and DeMarco Hayes, 21, are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting where one victim sustained critical injuries at the intersection of the 1800 block of Marion Barry Avenue and 18th Street, SE on July 24.
Release was denied because Judge O’Keefe ruled that Bennett was a danger to the public since he allegedly “shot at someone, execution style.”
Judge O’Keefe also found probable cause that Bennett was at the scene of the crime on Oct. 28, saying the gun that was found at his house matched the shell casings found at the scene of the crime.
Even though Bennett’s co-defendant, Hayes, was released on home confinement under DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, Judge O’Keefe stated he did not know what was presented and, therefore, did not make the same ruling. He expressed that there was no way to confine Bennett to ensure he was not a danger to the victim or the community.
During the hearing, the prosecution called on the lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Surveillance footage, acquired from a nearby public library, shows the suspect leaving a car and discharging a firearm. An additional piece of footage identified the vehicle, with corroboration from Bennett’s family member, who later identified him through surveillance footage in connection with the incident.
According to the detective, who works in the Homicide Branch of MPD, homicide detectives investigated the incident as a homicide due to the victim’s critical injuries, which included a gunshot wound to the neck. The detective stated that doctors told MPD the victim may be paralyzed if he survives.
During his testimony, the detective identified Bennett in the courtroom as one of the two suspects he submitted an arrest warrant for. During court, the witness adopted the affidavit as part of his testimony.
However, defense attorney Steven Kiersh argued that the footage lacked the clarity necessary to confirm the suspect’s identity.
Kiersh highlighted the footage’s limitations, stating it did not offer a clear visual confirmation of the suspect’s face. The mere description of a “thin, young person with dreads” was argued to be insufficient grounds for identification.
The defense also requested bond, citing Bennett’s drug issues, suicidal concerns, and lack of a prior criminal record. According to Kiersh, Bennett experienced severe withdrawal symptoms while he was in jail.
Prosecutors objected to the request for release, citing the nature and circumstances of the incident.
Judge O’Keefe presided over today’s hearing, standing in for Judge Okun.
Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 22.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Hazma Jamil Mubah-Wrotten that took place on Oct. 25 on the 800 block of Quincy Street, NW. Upon responding to reports of gunshots, officers discovered Mubah-Wrotten, who was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
