Trial Date Pushed to Next Year as Motions Hearing Continues in 2020 Homicide Case

By Aubree Tomasetti [former] - October 30, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 30, a lengthy motions hearing for a 2020 fatal shooting continued before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. 

Deon Walters, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and attempt to commit robbery while armed, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in the Oct. 1, 2020 death of 42-year-old Arthur Daniels IV. The incident occurred on the 6000 block of 8th Street, NW.

On July 13, defense attorneys filed a motion to release so-called Brady information, on the grounds the prosecution failed to disclose all potentially exculpatory evidence against Walters. It would also require both parties to share the evidence and witnesses they plan to use during trial. 

Walter’s defense attorney, Sylvia Smith, argued someone in jail contacted the prosecution with key information about the homicide and those involved. The unnamed person allegedly denied Walter’s involvement in the shooting. Smith stated, “There is evidence of other people committing this crime.”

However, the prosecution argued the previous prosecuting attorney attempted to set up a meeting with the witness, but was unsuccessful due to Covid regulations. A disclosure letter was not sent until much later, when the current prosecutor was assigned to the case. 

Since then that individual has died, leading Smith to argue key information had been deleted.

Smith stated, “This is the type of Brady information that results in dismissal.” 

Responding to Smith’s motion to suppress statements Walters provided while waiving his Miranda rights, prosecutors argued Walters was “knowing and aware” of his situation discussing the matter with police.

“There is clear understanding on both sides,” said the prosecution.

Smith said Walters was never told he could withhold consent at any time. She stated detectives started asking questions before they had read him his rights. 

She also said Walters was sleep deprived, hungry, and had been “held outside in the cold for over an hour…He wasn’t provided adequate food, he was given water and chips”. Smith said there were multiple times where Walters said he did not want to speak to police.

Judge Raffinan expressed concern with the motions’ timeline and did not believe she could rule on all of the requests before the scheduled Nov. 6 trial. 

The new trial date is set for March 4. 

Parties are expected to reconvene Oct. 31 for a continued motions hearing.