Trial Twist in DC Lawyer Murder Mystery

Suspects ask for bench trial

The three defendants in the Robert Wone case want a judge to decide their fate instead of a jury.

In court Wednesday, the three men waived their right to a jury trial. 

Joseph Price, Victor Zaborsky and Dylan Ward are charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in the slaying of Wone, a prominent D.C. attorney. 

On Aug. 2, 2006, the 32-year-old was found stabbed to death inside a friend's home at 1509 Swann St. NW.

Wone had been restrained, sexually assaulted and stabbed after going to sleep on a pullout couch in a second-floor guestroom of the Dupont Circle row house, police said.

To date, no one has been charged with his murder.

But prosecutors said the three defendants know who killed Wone and that the men delayed calling police that night so they would have enough time to clean up the crime scene and dispose of evidence. They then made up a story about an intruder breaking into the row house to stab the attorney, police said. 

A judge will now hear the case, which will start Monday.

Whatever the outcome, it won't end there. Wone's widow has filed a $20 million civil suit against the defendants.
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