Trial Plans Change for Murder and Kidnapping Cases

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 22, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

As the suspension of jury trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic remain in place, a DC Superior Court judge changed scheduling plans made three days ago for murder and kidnapping cases.

Cousins Kurt, 21, and Demonte, 19, Hewitt are charged with second-degree murder while armed in the fatal stabbing of 16 year-old Tyshon Perry on May 1, 2018, on the 1300 block of 2nd Street, NE. 

The two are also charged in another felony case alongside a third co-defendant, Kevin Sanders. In that case, which also dates back to 2018, the cousins are charged with armed kidnapping and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Demonte Hewitt is also charged with first-degree burglary while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. Sanders is charged with threats to injure or kidnap a person.

Back on Jan. 19, the prosecution estimated that the kidnapping trial would take around three to four days. Judge Juliet McKenna set the kidnapping case for jury selection and trial commencement in mid-April. The murder case would then trail the kidnapping case, with defense motions due for submission on the first of June. 

However, on Jan. 22, Judge McKenna decided to change plans to try the murder case first.

The dates set aside for jury selection and trial in the kidnapping case are now vacated. A jury trial for the murder case is now scheduled to begin on the first of November. A motion hearing is also set for July 22.

In that case, the Hewitts are also charged with conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault. 

They are being held at DC Jail. Sanders is on pretrial release.