Parties in a murder case pushed the trial to 2027 after the defendant pleaded not guilty at his arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Nov. 21.
Andre Chillous, 19, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 14-year-old David Bailey at the Lamond Recreational Center on the unit block of Tuckerman Street, NE, on Aug. 1, 2024. Another juvenile sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident, but survived.
Chillous, who was 17 at the time of the incident, is charged as an adult–an option for serious offenses under Title 16.
Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey informed the court that Chillous wished to plead not guilty to the indictment charges, asserted his speedy trial rights and requested discovery evidence from the prosecution.
Judge Ryan insisted that the trial be set in 2026, however the prosecutor informed the court that their trial schedule next year was unavailable for this case. Judge Ryan said pushing back trials so far is not fair to defendants.
“We have to do a better job,” Judge Ryan said.
Parties tentatively scheduled the trial for March 1, 2027.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 13.
