As a result of a felony arraignment held on Jan. 17, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein set a date for a homicide case to go to trial.
Javon Duckwilder, 25, pleaded not guilty to his charges of first-degree murder while armed, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a license in the alleged shooting of Juwan Smith on Oct. 23, 2021, on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.
The trial date was set for Oct. 15, 2024, three years after Duckwilder’s initial charge, due to Judge Epstein’s schedule being full until then.
The parties are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 27, 2024, for a trial readiness hearing.
