Trial Date Set, Release Denied in Juvenile Murder Case

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On Feb. 21, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld denied a juvenile homicide defendant’s request for release.

The juvenile, a 15-year-old boy, is charged with first-and-second degree murder, assault with intent to kill, carrying a pistol without a license with an extended magazine, and unlawful discharge of a firearm, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old J ihad Darden. The incident occurred on the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW, on Dec. 18, 2023.

The prosecution told Judge Hertzfeld that they are waiting on Darden’s autopsy report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), and stated they are planning on extending a plea offer to the defendant in the coming weeks.

The juvenile’s defense attorney also filed a motion for his release as he awaits further proceedings, arguing that they have rebutted the presumption of dangerousness in their filing.

They acknowledged the seriousness of the juvenile’s charges, but argued he is young and encountering human rights issues at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’ (DYRS) Youth Services Center (YSC).

The attorney argued that the juvenile is currently held in an “overflow unit,” where he is prohibited from visitations and reports being hungry. She added the unit is freezing, and he remains on lockdown for 20 hours a day.

She further said her client is not receiving the education he needs and has difficulty with the work packets he receives due to learning disabilities.

“The court misapplied the law [at the initial hearing],” claimed the defense attorney, saying the defendant should’ve been released to his mother.

A representative from the Court’s Social Services stated they were recommending the juvenile’s continued detention due to the nature and circumstances of the offense. They added he needs to be evaluated to figure out which treatments he requires.

The prosecution sided with the social services representative, adding that a judge found substantial probability at the last hearing, and the defendant lacks meaningful social controls that would ensure the safety of the community.

Judge Hertzfeld stated that the overcrowding and conditions at YSC are troubling, adding that it’s due to the “large uptick of juvenile crime”.

However, she said she did not see any mitigating circumstances that favored release and believes the juvenile would pose a danger to the community.

A trial date was set for March 25.

Parties are slated to return March 21 for a trial readiness hearing.