DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted a homicide defendant’s request for compassionate release due to steadily deteriorating health, during a July 3 hearing.  Joseph Ballard, 60, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Monte Daniels, 33, on July 28, 2023, on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE.  According to court documents, Ballard allegedly stabbed Daniels once in the chest killing him over an argument about drugs. Read more »

The defense requested onJune 26 that DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo continue a preliminary hearing for four weeks in a non-fatal shooting case.  Marcel Palmer, 16, is charged with assault with intent to commit any other offense while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting on June 12 on the 2700 block of Sheridan Road, SE. Read more »

The murder trial of Kenneth Stewart will be delayed to allow an expert in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to evaluate him, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo ruled on June 16. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo ordered a third competency evaluation by the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) for a defendant allegedly involved in a stabbing incident. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt put off a trial date for Willie Byrd on June 7 based on how it might be affected by an ongoing case regarding alleged racial bias in DC jury selection. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo denied a motion to delay a July trial after the defense challenged the DC jury selection process, arguing there are “stark racial disparities” in grand juries and trial panels, during a June 3 hearing. Read more »

A June 2 trial in DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo’s courtroom was delayed after the defendant originally refused to attend court due to an illness. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted a defendant’s motion to vacate a previously scheduled trial date in July due to his slow recovery from a comatose state. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced a homicide defendant to 20 years for his involvement in a 2022 murder, during a hearing on May 29. Read more »

A homicide victim’s brother told DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo , “It should be a life for a life,” before a homicide defendant was sentenced to 24 years of incarceration.  DaJuan Bell, 45, was originally charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, obstruction of justice, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict in connection to a shooting that claimed the life of 34-year-old Davon Childs on Dec. Read more »

A homicide defendant filed an unsuccessful motion to dismiss his case based on alleged police misconduct before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo agreed to modify the release conditions of a homicide defendant from home confinement in an April 26 hearing. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo continued the case of a homicide defendant following his refusal to appear in court in an April 26 hearing.  Darius Anderson, 23, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Israel Mattocks. Read more »

On April 11, DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover ordered a homicide defendant held pending future proceedings at a presentment hearing. Read more »

In a contentious hearing on April 5, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein urged both sides in a complex constitutional case to work out their differences without making a ruling from the bench. Read more »