Vernon McRae was due in court today for a preliminary hearing, but the date was rescheduled to Feb. 16. This is the fifth time a preliminary hearing in McRae’s case has been delayed.
The 22-year-old man is charged with second-degree murder in a D.C. homicide and remains jailed at least until next week’s court date.
Preliminary hearings are used to determine whether there is enough evidence to indict a defendant on murder charges.
McRae is being held on suspicion of killing 63-year-old Michael Washington on Oct. 26, 2010. According to charging documents in the case, authorities believe McRae struck Washington, who then fell to the floor, hitting his head. Washington was knocked unconscious in the incident and was unconscious for a half hour before emergency responders were called to aid him.
McRae was presented with the second-degree murder charge on Nov. 5, 2010. Preliminary hearings have been scheduled in his case for Nov. 15, Nov. 30, Jan. 21, Feb. 10, and now Feb. 16.
