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Racquel Bazos
- August 10, 2023
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Victims
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On Aug. 9, a defendant appeared in court for a bail review in connection to the March 27, 2022 murder of 21-year-old Joshua George Camara before Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer.
Attorney Latoya Francis-Williams sought home detention for her client, Draquan Smith, citing his stable address and the prosecution’s lack of an eyewitness to the incident. She went on to claim that the prosecutor assigned to the case dropped the charges on July 31 and indicted her client that same day to get around 22-year-old Smith’s speedy trial right, effectively resetting the clock on the 180 days both parties have to go to trial.
The prosecutor asked for Smith to be held without bail because he represents “a serious threat to public safety” due to the severity of the charges in this case and his May 18 conviction for first- and second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and use of a firearm in a felony violent crime. A pretrial services agent agreed with the prosecution’s recommendation.
Judge Schiffer ruled that Smith be held without bail.
Smith is charged with two counts each of first-degree murder and firearm use in a felony violent crime.
According to our previous reporting, after being assaulted on the 2600 block of Northshire Drive, Camara was shot by a man who broke off from a group of other assailants to run after Camara in an alleyway. Though Camara initially survived his wounds, he died on July 15, approximately five months after the shooting.
Smith will next appear for a reception court hearing before Judge Melissa M. Phinn on Dec. 13.