Next Hearing Scheduled for Murder Defendant Awaiting Trial

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 11, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Sept. 11, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled the next status hearing for a murder defendant.

Eldred Watts is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Zenus Epps, 33, who was shot to death March 25 on the 3500 block of A Street, SE.  Police arrested Watts on March 27. Watts is being held without bail.

Watts, 26, is being held in DC jail pending a grand jury trial. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no grand jury trial can take place at this time. The judge said that he doesn’t know when a grand jury will be held because of the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Therefore, the court will continue to schedule status hearings until they know when they can set have a trial for Watts.

The defense also requested Watts’ medical files from the prosecution. Defense attorney Dana Page said she wanted the documents to assess the defendant’s mental health.

According to court documents, a dispute between the victim and a resident of the apartment building seemed to take place. The victim left the apartment and was shot at close range in the head moments after. One witness identified Watts as the shooter. At the time, Watts’ girlfriend was involved with a dispute with the defendant. Another witness described another individual who was not apprehended by the police.

Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled the next felony status hearing for Jan. 22, 2021.