On March 22, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun granted a motion for a trial date to be continued in a murder case involving two brothers.
Joseph Smith, 60, is charged with voluntary manslaughter while armed for allegedly stabbing his 62-year-old brother, Arnold Smith, in their family home located on the 600 block of Galveston Place, SE on April 9, 2019.
Joseph’s defense attorney filed a motion to have the trial continued due to some personal matters.
However, the prosecution opposed the motion, arguing that it has been a long time since the incident occurred, and the trial should not be pushed back any longer.
The sister joined in on the hearing, saying that “the justice system has failed my brother [decedent].” She told Judge Okun that he should not have to wait any longer for justice to be served for his murder.
Due to several issues involving rescheduling of the trial, Judge Okun granted the motion, for now, saying the issue would be revisited in the coming months to see if there are any earlier dates available for the trial.
Parties are expected back in court on Jan. 3, 2024.
