Photo by philliefan99

Good morning, Washington, and welcome to the first day of this week’s official foray into spring. It’s going to be 60 and sunny today, 68 and partly cloudy tomorrow and 62 and rainy on Friday before settling into the 50s for the weekend.

South Capitol Street Shooting Trial Starts: Five men accused of carrying out a deadly 2010 drive-by shooting on South Capitol Street in which five people were killed were put on trial yesterday, reports the Post. While prosecutors argue that the men participated in the killing after a dispute involving a cheap bracelet, defense attorneys claimed that many of the government’s witnesses are simply angling to get themselves deals in cases they face. On the same day that the trial started, the D.C. Council voted to start debating legislation sponsored by Councilmember David Catania (I-At Large) that would better allow the city to address youth mental health and truancy.

Same-Sex Marriage in Maryland Could Affect D.C.: States are always competing to present themselves as more attractive locations for businesses, tourism, housing and so on. When it comes to same-sex marriage, writes the City Paper, the same competition could soon apply. Since 2010, the District has been the only jurisdiction in the region to allow same-sex marriage, making it the go-to place for many same-sex couples to settle. But with Maryland moving towards legalizing same-sex marriage, it remains to be seen if couples will decamp for the cheaper suburbs.

Jurors to Start Deliberations in University of Virginia Slaying: Jurors in Charlottesville will start deliberating today over whether former University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely killed girlfriend Yeardley Love or if her death was an unintended end to a nasty fight between the two, writes WTOP. The Examiner lays out the various routes the jury could take, all the way from first-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter.

Briefly Noted: Albert Haynesworth is halfway through his community service … Wilson Ramos back at spring training after harrowing kidnapping last year … Member of D.C. Council wants stricter rules for city contractors … Maryland legislators search for ways to close $1.1 billion budget gap … Northern Virginia real estate market rebounds … Alexandria to spend more in 2013.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011, Councilmember Michael Brown (I-At Large) searched for a statehood slogan, the District’s Walmarts said they wouldn’t be carrying firearms and D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown tried to walk himself out of the scandal surrounding a fully-loaded luxury SUV. In 2010, Metro fare increases were coming down the pike and yet another judge ruled against opponents of same-sex marriage.