DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ruled more information is needed to determine whether a homicide defendant is mentally competent to stand trial on July 19.  Kevin Foster, 20, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in two homicides that occurred on March 7, 2023.  According to court documents, Foster allegedly shot 23-year-old Dana Faulkner on the 2700 block of Bruce Place, SE. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a homicide defendant’s motion to delay trial due to the defendant’s inability to hire an expert witness, during a July 10 hearing. Read more »

DC Superior Judge Maribeth Raffinan ordered two defendants to remain detained following their not guilty plea during an arraignment on July 10.  Darnell Resper, 31, and Michael Sanders, 29, are charged with first-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, attempt to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a firearm, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Youness Zarouaki on Feb. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ordered a homicide defendant on July 9 to enroll in an outpatient program and report for a drug test, after having previously telling him to do so.  Terrance Barnes, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a homicide defendant’s request on July 9 to attend a family vacation in South Carolina. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted the defense’s motion to continue the sentencing on July 9 in Daniel Fleetwood’s murder case so they can meet with an expert witness, despite the plea having already been accepted.  Fleetwood, 28, pleaded guilty May 29 to second-degree murder wile armed. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan announced a delay in ruling on a motion to sever mother and son homicide co-defendants, to further review the evidence and case law, during a July 2 hearing. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted a defendant’s request to postpone his trial on July 2 due to an acute shortage of available attorneys from the DC Public Defender Service (PDS). Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a murder defendant's fourth motion for new counsel, asserting that he has the right to be provided counsel, but not necessarily one of his own choosing. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ruled on June 27 that there was probable cause that a homicide defendant committed a murder.  Monteze Morton, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting  29-year-old Dimitrious Brown on the 2800 block of Hartford Street, SE.   According to court documents, two people were engaged in an argument when Brown attempted to strike an individual who was Morton's ex-girlfriend. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced a shooting defendant to seven-and-a-half years of incarceration in connection to a shooting at an apartment complex, on June 14.  Kamara Huffler, 32, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a shooting that injured one on Sept. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted a defense attorney’s motion to delay sentencing in a homicide case, voicing concern for his clients’ mental competency, during a June 13 hearing.  Jamari Payne, 22, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for the shooting of 57-year-old Bacilio Villatoro on Sept. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffian ordered a homicide defendant report to an urgent care clinic for in person rehab classes and ha e his pretrial release conditions reassessed during a June 12 hearing. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan issued a bench warrant for Jayvon Thomas due to his failure to appear in court on June 7. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan reissued an order during a May 29 hearing for a murder defendant to complete a competency test as a condition to represent himself. Read more »