Shooting Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty at Arraignment

By Phoebe McConnell , Jenna Lee - October 4, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Robbery | Suspects |

During a felony arraignment, both co-defendants in a shooting case pleaded not guilty on all charges in front of DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo. 

Marcell Cradle,19, and Marcus Cunningham,19, are charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in a shooting incident that injured one individual on April 25 at the intersection of 16th and Euclid Streets, NW.

Cunningham is also charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a machine gun, endangerment with a firearm, and unlawful discarding of a firearm, in connection to the same incident. 

According to court documents, the shooting may have stemmed from a drug exchange that turned into a robbery at Meridian Hill Park. 

The prosecution asked that Cradle be put on GPS monitoring as a condition for his release, which Cradle’s attorney, Sellano Simmons, said was unnecessary since he has been compliant with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and showed up to all his hearings. 

Cunningham’s defense attorney, Tammy Thom, asked that he be released to strict home confinement so that he could spend time with his family. 

Judge Demeo ruled that since the nature of the charges were severe and a grand jury had found probable cause, she was going to put Cradle on GPS monitoring and deny Cunningham’s release. 

Parties will reconvene on Nov. 12.