Non-Fatal Shooting Trial Moved from May to September

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“There’s just too much material for me to be ready by the twenty-fourth,” said defense attorney Steven Polin. As new counsel, Polin requested the court reschedule the previously set May 24 trial date. 

Tavon Owens, 30, is charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of unarmed carjacking, and one count of possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on the 1400 block of Newton Street, NW on Dec. 12, 2022. According to court documents, when Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived at the scene, they made contact with the victim who was suffering from a gunshot wound to her left shin.

During the status hearing on April 24, Polin requested to delay the trial. He said he needed more time to familiarize himself with the case. 

The prosecution told DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow her team will be pursuing the indictment diligently and anticipates she will be ready by the original May 14 indictment deadline. Even so, the prosecutor did not object to a trial delay. 

After little deliberation, Judge Pasichow granted the request and set the new date for Sept. 12. 

The legal parties set the remaining dates for the trial calendar and the prosecution anticipated calling 10 to 15 witnesses, including two experts to analyze evidentiary items. 

“This is not your run-of-the-mill gun case,” Judge Pasichow assured the court.

Once the attorneys gave their estimates for trial length, Judge Pasichow set the calendar for a two-week-long trial.

Owens is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Sept. 8. 

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