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D.C. Witness Staff
- April 1, 2022
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A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a murder case for trial after the defendant rejected a plea offer.
The victim, 39-year-old Edward Pearson, was discovered in an apartment on the 2900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW, with a gunshot wound to the head on the morning of Nov. 26, 2020. Ernest Cleveland, 27, was arrested for his alleged role in Pearson’s death approximately two weeks later. Prosecutors filed a seven-count indictment against him in February.
During the most recent hearing for this case on March 29, the defendant was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Cleveland pleaded not guilty and rejected the prosecution’s plea offer for reduced charges.
The defense said they needed more time to review the evidence they received from the prosecution. Judge Robert Okun scheduled a June 27 Innocence Protection Act hearing to discuss if the defense will be seeking independent DNA testing.
The trial is set to take place in March 2023.
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