Case Acquitted: Plans for Murder Trial Change Following Recent Order from Chief Judge

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This case has been acquitted.

A recent rise in coronavirus cases prompted DC Superior Court Chief Judge Anita-Josey Herring to order that new jury trials scheduled through Feb. 11 be continued to the earliest possible date after the 11th. The decision forced parties in a 2018 murder case to change their trial plans.

Cedric Alexander, who is also known as Tony White, currently has six charges including first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 38-year-old Daquan Hooks on the afternoon of March 23, 2017, on the 1900 block of 13th Street, SE. The 50-year-old defendant is also charged with armed robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

Alexander has been detained at DC Jail since his arrest in August 2018. His trial was previously scheduled to begin on Feb. 7 with jury selection taking place on Feb. 2 and 3. 

Judge Robert Okun did not schedule new trial dates during the Jan. 6 hearing, instead opting to do so at a later date. Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Jan. 26 to discuss motions filed in the case. 

Chief Judge Josey-Herring issued the order updating court procedures on Dec. 30, 2021. The order serves to modify the one last amended on Nov. 21, 2021. In it, she states that “the projected continuation of the recent spike in coronavirus cases requires the Court to make temporary modifications in its operations.”

While jury trials like Alexander’s have been halted, non-jury trials are to proceed as scheduled, according to the order.

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