Parties Reschedule Homicide Trial Amid New Firearm Charges

By Grace Raines [former] - November 30, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Domestic Violence | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt rescheduled the trial date for a homicide defendant with new concerns of supervised release violations. 

Brian Wooden,32, is charged with first-degree cruelty to children and felony murder for the death of his girlfriend’s son, one-year-old Carter Sanders, on the 4700 block of Benning Road SE, on May 16, 2018. Wooden violated the terms of his release as he unlawfully possessed a firearm. This count will move forward in federal court as a separate case. 

On Nov. 30, defense attorney, Marnitta King, emphasized that Wooden had successfully complied with supervision conditions until this charge. She stated the firearm charge “is only possessory” with no crime of violence committed. 

However, Wooden violated released conditions, so he should stay detained, says the prosecution. 

The prosecution said Wooden has only been held for “15 minutes” compared to other defendants who have spent four years in pre-trial detention. 

King said he prosecution incorrect because Wooden was jailed for a year. 

The parties discussed the 2023 calendar for an appropriate time for the new trial date to accommodate the violation. All parties settled for a trial date on June 12, 2023. 

Judge Brandt scheduled the next hearing for Dec. 9.