Judge Allows Detective to Define Slang in Murder Trial
A Washington judge will permit testimony defining the term lick as a robbery during an ongoing murder trial.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Violence
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Judge Jason Park ruled that a detective may define the slang term lick for the jury in the trial regarding the 2020 death of 30-year-old Nurudeen Thomas. The ruling comes as defendants face charges of conspiracy and first-degree felony murder.
Why it matters
The defense argued that allowing a police officer to interpret the slang term would unfairly prejudice the jury. The judge ruled that testimony can proceed provided the prosecution highlights the nuance of the term.
The DC Superior Court severed Steven Washington's case from his co-defendants, Dijon Williams and Daivion Williams. A bench warrant remains active for Washington, who has not appeared in court since May 27, 2026.
The players
Jason Park
He is a judge at the DC Superior Court who issued the ruling regarding the testimony.
Nurudeen Thomas
He was a 30-year-old man who was fatally shot in 2020.
Steven Washington
He is a 27-year-old defendant who has not appeared in court since May 2026.
Dijon Williams
He is a 27-year-old defendant from Georgia facing felony murder charges.
Daivion Williams
He is a 28-year-old defendant currently facing conspiracy and murder charges.
The details
The shooting of Nurudeen Thomas occurred on July 21, 2020, at the 4100 block of 14th Street, NW. During the proceedings, the prosecution presented surveillance footage of the incident and data extracted from two cell phones by an ATF special agent.
Timeline
Jul 21, 2020: The fatal shooting of Nurudeen Thomas occurred.
May 27, 2026: Steven Washington stopped appearing in court.
Sept. 1, 2026: Judge Park issued a bench warrant for Washington.
Oct. 28, 2026: Judge Park ruled on the detective's testimony.
Oct. 29, 2026: Parties were scheduled to reconvene.
Legal Context
The ruling aligns with the broader judicial trend of vetting expert witness testimony to ensure that specialized linguistic interpretations do not compromise a fair trial. Courts must balance the need for clarity in criminal communications with the risk of prejudicing the jury.
The ongoing trial serves as a reminder of the judicial processes surrounding serious crimes in the city. Residents monitoring the case should remain aware that court proceedings for the remaining defendants will continue at the DC Superior Court.
The takeaway
Judicial rulings on linguistic testimony highlight how courtrooms navigate the intersection of modern communication and legal standards. Understanding these procedural decisions is essential for tracking how complex criminal cases move through the local justice system.
Further reading
For more on criminal justice developments, visit the Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dcwitness.
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