Rodney Baggott pleads not guilty

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 14, 2017
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

Rodney Baggott pleaded not guilty to the murder charge against him, and the motinos were set in place for a trial.

Baggott is beind held for two seperate murder cases.

Baggott allegedly killed 44-year-old Donald Bush, on June 13, 2015, in the 2300 block of 15th Street, NE. He was charged with second-degree murder in June 2016.

He also allegedly killed 23-year-old DeAngelo Barr, on Nov. 20, 1995, in the 1600 block of Montana Ave, NE.

Baggott’s defense argued that he should be transferred to the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF), because of the heat at the jail exacerbates his medical issues. The judge said she could not order this transfer, but she could request it.

The defense also said that he had been transferred to CTF last summer, under similar conditions, because the heat had affected his health.

In court, Baggott pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder while armed charge and his defense requested evidence from the government. The judge asked if a plea offer had been extended, and the government said that he had rejected their first plea deal for both charges.

The trial for his 2015 murder will begin on Dec. 11, with motions due by Sept. 29, and a trial readiness hearing on Nov. 17.

A status hearing is set for Aug. 29, to discuss whether or not the defense wants DNA evidence, collected by the government, to be tested independently in the 2015 case.