Murder defendant receives warning about drug tests

By Alishba Kamran
– 17 September 2024
Daily Stories | Murder Cases |

During a hearing on September 17, D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan reminded a defendant in a murder case that he must comply with all conditions of his release, including a negative drug test.

Terrance Barnes, 35, is charged with first-degree armed murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 57-year-old Barry Holmes. Holmes succumbed to his injuries on April 17, 2019, in the 5100 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

During the hearing, a representative of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) told Judge Raffinan that Barnes had complied with the conditions of his release despite a slip-up on the drug test.

Defense attorney Molly Bunke asked the court to reduce the tests from twice a week to once a week.

Prosecutors stated that they felt more comfortable with twice-weekly drug testing.

However, the judge rejected the defense's request to reduce the tests and ordered that the release conditions remain unchanged.

The parties are scheduled to meet again on February 14.