Letter from Steve Mercer to Judge Griggsby, September 9, 2025 — United States v. Lewis (Dkt. 100, D. Md.)

Summary

In this status letter filed September 9, 2025 in United States v. DeAngelo Lewis (D. Md., Case 8:23-cr-00223, Dkt. 100), defense counsel Steve Mercer reports to U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby, as the Court directed on July 31, 2025 when it denied without prejudice the Government's Motion to Advance the Trial Date. The letter says the defense is close to completing its investigation but raises two matters: the extraction report for a phone recovered from a vehicle seized in Montgomery County has not yet been produced, and a second evidence review by the Prince George's County Police Department is still pending. If the extraction arrives within 10 days and the police department responds, the letter says the defense could be ready for trial in November 2025. Counsel also states availability for trial in February 2026.

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Case 8:23-cr-00223-LKG           Document 100         Filed 09/09/25      Page 1 of 2




                                         September 9, 2025

VIA ECF/PACER

Lydia Kay Griggsby
District Judge
U.S. District Court
District of Maryland
6500 Cherrywood Lane
Greenbelt, MD 20770

               RE:     United States v. DeAngelo Lewis
                       Case No:. LKG-23-0223-001
                       Defense Status Letter

Dear Judge Griggsby:

        On July 31, 2025, the Court denied without prejudice the Government's Motion to Advance
the Trial Date and directed the Defendant to file a status report on or before September 9, 2025,
informing the Court of whether the Defendant has completed the necessary discovery and
investigation related to this case, and if the Defendant is prepared to proceed to trial as to Deangelo
Lewis. The defense has been able to complete additional investigative tasks and is close to
completion. There are two additional matters of concern.

        First, on July 15, 2025, the defense submitted supplemental discovery requests which the
Government responded to on August 27, 2025. One of the defense requests was for the extraction
report for a phone recovered on October 27, 2002, from a vehicle seized in Montgomery County.
The phone showed a missed call from “Suave” (which is Mr. Hood-Jackson’s internet and rap
name). The Government indicated the phone had not been extracted but that it would be pursuant
to a search warrant obtained in response to the defense request. The phone extraction has not yet
been produced.

      Second, the defense has an open request to the Prince George’s County Police Department
to complete the second of two reviews of the evidence. Presumably, this can be scheduled
promptly once the defense paralegal receives a response from the detective.

       Assuming the Government produces the phone extraction within the next 10 days, and the
Prince George’s County Police Department responds, the defense could be ready for trial in
November 2025. Also, I could be available for trial in February 2026. I am in trial in the U.S.

      Case 8:23-cr-00223-LKG         Document 100        Filed 09/09/25   Page 2 of 2



District Court for the Western District of Washington in January, which creates conflicts in
December and January.

       Please let me know if the Court has any questions or concerns.

                                                          Sincerely,



                                                          Steve Mercer



Cc:    AUSA Darren Gardner (via PACER)

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