DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan admonished a murder defendant to comply with release conditions during a hearing on Nov. 4.
James Rice, 26, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Thomas Felder on May 1, 2024, at the 1300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) asked the court for judicial admonishment, a formal warning or reprimand given by the judge, of the defendant. Rice is on release while awaiting trial but has failed to report for four- out-of-five required drug tests.
Defense attorney Joseph Yarbough argued that the defendant has intellectual and mental health issues that affect his memory. Additionally, the defendant tested negative for all prohibited substances multiple times, even during the initial lock up.
Yarbough stated that the case did not involve drugs and there were no drug use concerns in Rice’s history. The defendant has only ever tested positive for marijuana, which is legal in DC.
The judge commented that the defendant had “modest release conditions” for someone with charges such as these.
The prosecution stated that they are not seeking arrest at this time, but if the defendant cannot be compliant with all elements of his release then they would seek detention next time.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 20.
