Reopened Murder Case Moves Closer to Trial

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A defendant in a reopened murder case may have dates for his new trial scheduled when parties reconvene in October.

In 2014, a jury found Arik Sims guilty of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and misdemeanor carrying a pistol in connection with the shooting 29-year-old Lamar Fonville on Sept. 20, 2012, on the 4700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. He was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison.

In September 2019, Appellate Judge Catherine Easterly ruled that the case should be reopened after the defense said two hearsay statements were introduced into the 2014 trial without the witnesses being present to testify to the facts of the statements at the trial, D.C. Witness previously reported.

During the July 26 hearing, Judge Juliet McKenna scheduled an Oct. 26 status hearing for the 33-year-old defendant, at which time they may schedule a trial date.

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