James Fields, suspected in the shooting death of Christopher Freeman in Southeast DC on August 5, pled innocent to the charges against him Friday.
Fields, 28, was indicted on March 14 on charges including premeditated first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault while armed, and weapons offenses.
Freeman was one of two people shot in an ally in the 300 block of 34th Street Southeast at about 3 a.m. on Aug. 5. At a preliminary hearing, Detective William Covington said that Freeman was shot at least seven times and was found dead at the scene.
Freeman’s friend was shot once; the bullet went through his hand and shoulder and struck his face. He wasn’t able to speak with police because of his injuries, but in an interview wrote that “Jim did it.” He went on to describe a man whom police ultimately identified as Fields.
Fields’ attorney, Kia Sears, argued at the hearing that darkness in the alley where the shooting occurred could have made it difficult for anyone to accurately identify someone.
