Antonio Nicks, 34, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty on Apr. 6 to obstructing a homicide investigation, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The case involves Nicks’s actions during an investigation into the July 9, 2022 stabbing death of Brittany Palmer. Authorities say that his refusal to cooperate with the grand jury hindered efforts to resolve the case.
Nicks was indicted and entered a guilty plea in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for one count each of obstructing justice and contempt. His plea came just before jury selection was set to begin. Sentencing is scheduled for June 26 before Judge Judith Pipe.
According to government evidence presented in court, Nicks testified under oath on July 7 and July 28, 2023 during grand jury proceedings related to Palmer’s death. On July 7, he declined certain questions by invoking the Fifth Amendment privilege. However, following a hearing on July 14 where Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring ruled that he did not have such privilege and ordered him to answer specific questions, Nicks still refused when called again on July 28—despite acknowledging he had been ordered by the judge.
Subsequent hearings before Chief Judge Josey-Herring on October 2 and December 11 of last year as well as January this year saw Nicks continue his refusal. He has remained in custody since his arrest under a material witness warrant on June 21, prior to these proceedings.
The Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case while Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Galloway is handling prosecution.