Trial Moved in Sexual Abuse Case Due to Delay in DNA Testing

By Christopher Sivak [former] , Mariam Kamate [former] - February 1, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Domestic Violence | Sex Abuse | Sexual Assault |

During a status hearing on Feb. 1, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun rescheduled a trial due to delays in DNA testing.

The defendant is charged with first-degree child sexual abuse when the victim was under the age of 12 at the time of offense with aggravating circumstances, attempted first-degree child sexual abuse when the victim was under the age of 12 at the time of offense with aggravating circumstance, and second-degree child sexual abuse when the victim was under the age of 12 at the time of offense with aggravating circumstances for allegedly sexually abusing a child.

Defense attorney Roderick Thompson stated that the defense was not prepared to go forward with a scheduled hearing, which would give the defense the opportunity to also test the DNA samples, due to delays on the prosecution’s side with DNA testing.

The prosecutor said it would take around a month to get results from the lab. 

Thompson said the defense would need around three months to conduct their own DNA testing on the evidence.

Both the prosecution and defense agreed that a new trial date would be needed.

Judge Okun scheduled the trial to now begin on March 25, 2024, one year after the previous date.

The parties are scheduled to return March 24 for a status hearing.