Prosecution Not Working to Level They Are Supposed To, Judge Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 30, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 28, a judge considered the prosecution’s motion to continue a murder case after discussing why counsel is taking so long to prepare for trial. 

Jordan Smith, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and two firearm offenses for his alleged role in the fatal shooting of Yashika Green, 42, on the 200 block of  Wayne Place, SE in 2017.

“The government has not worked on this case in the extent they are expected to do so,” said DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe

During a status hearing, Smith’s defense counsel, Mani Golzari, told Judge Iscoe that he does not think the prosecution should be allowed to continue the case.

Golzari said the prosecution wants to bring in multiple experts to test a footprint left in blood. He said the testing could have been done beforehand and it is taking an unusual amount of time. 

“It’s become clear that the government has not tried to prosecute in a good faith effort or in a good faith way,” he said.

Golzari added that if prosecution were granted a continuance Smith would be kept in a halfway house for even longer.

“The halfway house is a glorified jail he can’t leave,” Golzari said. 

Golzari requested Judge Iscoe dismiss the case for delaying the trial. 

The prosecution asked Judge Iscoe for a one to two month continuance to meet with experts.

Judge Iscoe said that he did not think the prosecution gathered or analyzed evidence in a timely fashion. He said the preliminary hearing was almost two years ago and the prosecution has had time to test evidence.

“It appears to me a great deal that could have been done wasn’t done,” he said.

Judge Iscoe did not comment on the motion to dismiss. 

Judge Iscoe denied the motion to continue. 

A pre-trial readiness hearing is scheduled on Nov. 1.