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By
Isabelle Chiu [former]
- June 15, 2022
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Victims
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DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee denied a request for release from a defendant accused of shooting his father during an altercation.
Stephon Williams, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol outside a home or business. He is accused of shooting his then 49-year-old father Stephen Magruder on Sept. 11, 2020, on the 700 block of 51st Street, NE during a dispute.
Williams’ defense attorney Jason Tulley filed a motion on June 14 for Williams’ release into inpatient treatment. Tulley spoke about his concerns over Williams’ struggle with fentanyl addiction and the drug’s availability at the DC Jail, where Williams is currently detained. Tully argued that although Williams was currently fighting his addiction, keeping Williams in jail “is punishing him for being an addict.”
Tulley also brought to the court’s attention that the jail had run out of a medication that Williams was prescribed to treat blood clots–an ailment that had sent Williams to the hospital just a few months prior.
The prosecutor opposed the motion, arguing that Williams had plenty of opportunities to enter himself into inpatient programs when he had previously been released. Instead, Williams picked up several misdemeanor charges. Williams had additionally shown non-compliance with his release orders several times.
Judge Lee denied the defense’s motion for release on the grounds that Williams still poses a danger to the community.
Williams is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 30 for an additional hearing.