Judge maintains detention of teenager accused of fatal beating

By Jeff Levine
– May 29, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs sided with prosecutors and ordered that a 13-year-old murder suspect remain in the custody of the DC Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) agency until At the trial.

At a May 29 hearing, the judge said the teen's defense attorney failed to demonstrate that the child would not pose a danger to the community and that he would appear in court. upcoming legal proceedings.

“At that point, the placement [in detention] will continue,” Judge Briggs said.

The 13-year-old, along with another 13-year-old and a 12-year-old, are all charged with second-degree murder, assault and conspiracy in the fatal beating of Reggie Brown, 64 years old. The incident occurred on October 17, 2023 in the 6200 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective previously said the victim was disabled with no apparent connection to her attackers.

The 13-year-old girl, dressed in a pink shirt, sat quietly throughout the hearing, occasionally smiling at spectators in the courtroom.

As part of his argument, the teen's lawyer said she was in danger at the detention center and asked that the teen be transferred to a shelter.

The lawyer also pointed out that the accused is not in school and does not receive regular education, a particular problem since she has been designated as a special needs student. Releasing his shelter detention would provide him with more educational opportunities, even though the school year is almost over, the attorney said.

“She would benefit from a lot more supervision in a shelter than at home,” her lawyer said, suggesting that would increase the likelihood that the teen would comply with the conditions of her release.

Judge Briggs acknowledged that the teenager's family was trying to provide support and assistance, but cited a recommendation from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) that the youth remain detained at DYRS.

Speaking outside the courtroom to DC Witness, an advocate for the teen's family said they were stressed “like any family would be” in their situation.

The trial for all three defendants is scheduled for June 26 but could extend into September depending on the time needed to argue the case and Judge Briggs' busy trial docket.

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