Antonio Nicks, a 34-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty on April 6 to charges of obstructing a homicide investigation, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Nicks entered his plea in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, admitting guilt to one count of obstructing justice and one count of contempt. The plea was made just before jury selection was set to begin.
According to government evidence presented in court, Nicks testified under oath before a grand jury on July 7 and July 28, 2023. The grand jury was investigating the stabbing death of Brittany Palmer that occurred on July 9, 2022. During his testimony on July 7, Nicks declined to answer certain questions and attempted to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege regarding various topics. On July 14, Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring held a hearing and determined that Nicks did not have grounds for Fifth Amendment protection in this instance and ordered him to respond fully during grand jury proceedings.
Despite the judge's order, during subsequent testimony on July 28, Nicks again refused to answer questions while acknowledging he had been directed by Chief Judge Josey-Herring to do so. He continued this refusal at further hearings held on October 2 and December 11, 2023 as well as January 12, 2024.
Nicks had been arrested under a material witness warrant on June 21, 2023 and has remained in custody since then. Sentencing is scheduled for June 26 before Judge Judith Pipe.
The Metropolitan Police Department is conducting the investigation into this case while Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Galloway is handling prosecution duties.
