Plea Negotiations Stalled in Deadly Hit-and-Run Case

By Jay McDonald [former] - March 9, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Traffic | Victims |

Parties in the case of a deadly motor vehicle collision are deadlocked in plea negotiations.

Kyle Wooden is charged with second-degree murder in the deaths of 82-year-old Donald Malloy and 79-year-old Mattie Young on May 31, 2020. According to court documents, Wooden was traveling in a Chevrolet Tahoe that evening while Malloy and Young were in a Nissan Altima. Wooden, 34, allegedly ran a red light on Bryant Street, NW, causing him to hit the victims who were trying to turn northbound onto North Capitol Street, NW. The defendant allegedly fled on foot. He was arrested the following day and charged with second-degree murder.

During a March 8 hearing, defense attorney Jonathan Zucker said his client wants to accept the prosecution’s plea offer given but is disappointed with the charges.  

“We would like to take a disposition but we are at an impasse when it comes to charges,” said Zucker. “The government offered two counts of involuntary manslaughter, but we prefer two counts of negligent homicide. It’s a very thin line between the two and disappoints me that we can not come to an agreement.”

The prosecutor had a meeting with her supervisors about the defense’s request but they are staying firm with the plea offer given. If a plea agreement is not met then both parties are ready to go to trial. 

Another hearing is scheduled for April 28.  In the meantime, Wooden will remain released into the High Intensity Supervision Program.