Judge Maribeth Raffinan Archives

Attorney Claims There Was a ‘Failure to Investigate’ Fatal Shooting at Preliminary Hearing

Details Parties argued for probable cause in a fatal shooting that killed one teenager and seriously injured another in an April 25 hearing. Tyree Bratcher, 17, is charged with second-degree murder... Read More

Defendant Accused of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend 52 Times Wants To Represent Himself

Details A homicide defendant dismissed his counsel after informing the court he wished to represent himself in his upcoming trial in DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan’s courtroom. Wonell Jones Jr.,... Read More

Murder Defendant’s Mental State, Trial Date and Legal Counsel at Issue in Hearing

Details DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan filed an order for a mental evaluation of a homicide defendant and reviewed his request for new counsel in an April 24 hearing. Sherman... Read More

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Nonfatal Shooting of a Teen

Details DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan found probable cause in a nonfatal shooting case involving a 14-year-old victim based on data from a tracking device and physical evidence. Anthony... Read More

Judge Denies Motion to Suppress Evidence in Shooting Case

Details DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a shooting defendant’s motion to suppress statements made to law enforcement at the time of his arrest. Ronnel Offutt, 35, is charged with... Read More

Metro Murder Suspect Elects Not to Proceed With DNA Testing

Details On April 12, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard a homicide defendant waive his right to independently test DNA evidence. Isaiah Trotman, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while... Read More

Defense Argues a Lack of Probable Cause, Suggests Police Coercion in Mass Shooting Case

Details On April 10, the prosecution called on police witness to testify before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan to prove probable cause in a mass shooting case. Ronell Offutt, 35,... Read More

Defendant Charged with Shooting Police and Animal Cruelty Ruled Mentally Incompetent

By Mia Febles , Audrey Staudacher - April 11, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting |

Details On April 11, before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffian, a defendant accused of wounding police officers in a stand off was found mentally incompetent to stand trial. Stephen Rattigan,... Read More

Judge Cites ‘Judicial Economy’ in Ruling Against Severance in a Murder Case

Details On April 9, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a homicide defendant’s request to sever his case from a co-defendant. Rafeal Stevens, 39, and Jermall Johnson, 40, are charged... Read More

Witness Says He Was ‘Threatened by the FBI’ to Testify in a Murder Trial

Details On April 3, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan heard from a key witness who said he was forced to testify “against my will” in a homicide case. Oscar Ramos,... Read More

After Disrupting Hearing, A Convicted Felon Receives 11 Year Sentence

Details On March 22, a non-fatal shooting defendant was sentenced to 132 months of incarceration before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. Dominic Copeland, 33, was convicted of assault with intent... Read More

Jury Acquits Shooting Suspect on Most Serious Charge

By Mia Febles , Audrey Staudacher - March 16, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Details On March 11, a jury acquitted a shooting suspect on the charge of assault with intent to kill but found him guilty on lesser counts in a case before DC... Read More