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By
Jakob Rios [former]
- January 21, 2022
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Victims
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Parties held off setting trial dates for a man charged with murder for his alleged role in a 2018 traffic fatality.
Roger Hamilton is charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence and reckless driving in connection with a motor vehicle crash that killed 42-year-old pedestrian Vincent Childs. On March 2, 2018, the 41-year-old defendant allegedly drove northbound on Wheeler Road, SE, at a high rate of speed before mounting an east curb and hitting Childs. He then allegedly attempted to flee the scene, according to court documents.
During the Jan. 21 proceedings, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee expressed concern over setting a trial date, given the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on court operations. He said he was not completely convinced that the suspension of jury trials would end in February and wanted to play it safe.
On Dec. 30, 2021, Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring issued an order that jury trials scheduled through Feb. 11 be continued to the earliest possible date after Feb. 11.
Judge Lee set a new status hearing for Feb. 18. Parties agreed to this as they plan to renegotiate a potential plea deal. In the meantime, Hamilton will remain on pretrial release.