WASHINGTON — Seven weeks after he escaped police custody, a D.C. murder suspect stood in front of a judge. The search for Christopher Haynes officially ended with his arraignment Friday afternoon.
Back in early September, police arrested 30-year-old Haynes on murder charges. He was the primary suspect in a double shooting at gas station in Northeast, D.C.
After Haynes’ arrest, court documents show police took him to George Washington Hospital for medical treatment. According to the police report, an officer switched handcuffs on Haynes. During the handcuff switch, Haynes bolted. Documents said that he overpowered two officers and escaped the hospital.
For the next seven weeks, local and federal law enforcement searched for him. On Thursday, law enforcement found him. Police have not said how they tracked him down or how Haynes was able to elude officers for weeks.
Law enforcement caught up with Haynes at an apartment in Oxon Hill, Maryland. According to court documents, when officers arrived, Haynes tried to escape out the back balcony. Police followed and arrested him.
Friday afternoon, Haynes went in front of a judge for his arraignment on murder charges. WUSA9 asked his attorney Nikki Lotze how he plans to plead.
“Mr. Haynes maintains his innocence and looks forward to resolving the matter," Lotze responded.
MPD says anyone who was found to have aided and abetted Haynes will also be criminally charged, according to police. So far, no other arrests have been made.
Friday's arraignment was for the D.C. first-degree murder charges. Haynes will be back in court on Dec. 5 for a preliminary hearing.
He now also faces law enforcement evasion charges in Virginia. WUSA9 is working to find out more information on that court date.