Court Rejects Government’s Attempt to Dismiss Thompson Case Without Prejudice

In a detailed opinion, Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the indictment against Adrian Thompson must be dismissed with prejudice, finding the government's conduct untenable. She highlighted a series of managerial failures by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including assigning the same assistant U.S. attorney to two trials on the same day and ignoring a known problem with an essential government witness for more than nine months.

The office also failed to provide discovery and Brady material despite repeated requests from the defense. After the government’s initial bid for a 90-day continuance was denied under the Speedy Trial Act, it sought dismissal under Rule 48(a) to sidestep the denial, a move the court partially rejected. While the government claimed it could refile the case within about 90 days, the court barred a without-prejudice dismissal, ordering a dismissal with prejudice instead. Thompson, who had complied with all procedural requirements and been under stringent supervision, now faces a final resolution of the charges.