Demitrich Jones and William Smallwood pleaded innocent Thursday to five criminal charges including felony murder while armed for the shooting death of 33-year-old Rashard Raigns in June.
Jones, who is 16 years old, has been charged as an adult. In addition to the murder charge, Jones faces one count of robbery, one count of attempted robbery and two weapon offenses.
Smallwood, 22, is charged with a third weapons-related offense in place of the robbery charge.
A 13-year-old boy was also arrested in connection with Raign’s murder. His case is being heard by the court’s juvenile division.
On June 4, police found Raigns lying facedown on the sidewalk in the 1900 block of Fenwick Street, Northeast at approximately 2:42 a.m., charging documents say. Raigns died from a gunshot wound before police arrived.
In an interview after his arrest, Jones told police he and Smallwood tried to steal Raigns’ laptop but killed Raigns in the process.
According to the charging documents, Jones and Smallwood approached Raigns and told him to give up his laptop. Jones told police that Smallwood fired two shots from a silver revolver when Raigns tried to escape with the computer.
Meanwhile, a third subject stood lookout at the intersection of Fenwick and Gallaudet Street.
Jones, Smallwood and the third subject fled to a residence in the 1800 block of Providence Avenue, Northeast. According to his statement to police, Jones ran back several minutes later and took the laptop.
Jones and Smallwood are scheduled to appear before Judge Jennifer Anderson for a status hearing on February 27 at 9:30 a.m. A trial date has been set for September 8.
