10 Defendants Held During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 5, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

On Oct. 5, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 37 defendants and held 10 defendants in DC Jail during initial hearings.

Terrell Poe, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed. On Sept. 23, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) located on the 4600 Block of South Capitol Street, SW heard gunshots. Upon canvassing the area, MPD discovered an individual on the 400 Block of Southern Avenue, SE unconscious and not breathing. 

The prosecution mentioned that Poe was on supervision for armed robbery at the time of the murder and had fallen out of compliance after the murder took place. Judge Crowell also mentioned Poe’s criminal history and ordered him held as he could not guarantee the safety of the community.

Steven Tyler, 42, is charged in two separate cases. In one case Tyler is charged with violating the Bail Reform Act (BRA), and in the second case he is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Judge Crowell ordered Tyler be held in the felony matter citing his criminal history. Judge Crowell said that the defendant seemed to be noncompliant with previous release conditions, and he could not guarantee that the defendant would be compliant now.

Tyrone Dawkins, 46, is charged in two separate cases. His charges are assaulting a police officer and attempted threats to do bodily harm in one case and another attempted threats charge in the other case. According to court documents, Dawkins spat at an MPD officer and threatened to kill him. 

Judge Crowell ordered the defendant held due to his long criminal history and said he could not guarantee the safety of the community. 

A male defendant was charged with misdemeanor sex abuse and assaulting a police officer. When stopped by MPD, the defendant was allegedly combative and spat at officers.

Judge Crowell cited the defendant’s criminal history that included a significant amount of crimes similar in nature to the defendant’s current case and the multiple executed bench warrants mentioned in the defendant’s criminal history report as well. 

Eli Washingon is a fugitive from justice where he is wanted in Virginia for kidnapping, domestic assault and battery. The Virginia authorities informed the prosecution they were willing to extradite Washington. After speaking with his defense counsel, Washington waived his right to an extradition hearing and will wait for authorities to pick him up from DC Jail.

Darryl Smith, 36, is charged in two new cases and was also brought in on two bench warrants for failing to appear at his hearings. In his two new cases, he is charged with BRA and being a fugitive from justice, where he is wanted in Maryland for failing to appear at his hearing, in which he is charged with homicide.

After speaking to his counsel, Smith waived his right to an extradition hearing and will wait for Maryland authorities to pick him up from DC Jail to settle his fugitive matter. Judge Crowell also held him on the bench warrants, but released him on the BRA case. His defense counsel ordered a medical alert, as Smith is wheelchair bound due to a gunshot wound. 

A male domestic violence defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly pointed a loaded pistol at family members. 

Judge Crowell listed the weapons and ammunition that were found in the defendant’s room, saying it was a very serious charge. Due to his conduct, Judge Crowell ordered the defendant to be held. Judge Crowell also granted the prosecution’s request for a mental evaluation. 

Jose Lemus, 32, is charged with assaulting a police officer and possession of a prohibited weapon. After responding to a noise complaint, MPD allegedly witnessed Lemus striking a wall with a hammer. According to court documents, MPD asked Lemus if he was injured, to which he responded he was not and subsequently asked for a knife so that he could cut the officers at the scene.

Judge Crowell ordered the defendant held, citing Lemus’ history of assault cases. One of his previous cases was at the same location as his new case. 

Michelle Carberry, 28, is charged with second-degree theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. According to court documents, Carberry was witnessed on camera allegedly concealing items on her person. Carberry was escorted to the security office onsite and searched. MPD allegedly found the unpaid items and drug paraphernalia in the defendant’s bag.

Judge Crowell ordered the defendant held, saying she had multiple theft cases form just this year alone, and he could not guarantee the defendant would comply with release conditions. 

Breon Fowler, 27, is charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. On Oct. 4, MPD was approaching a group of individuals, when Fowler grabbed a bag and attempted to flee. Judge Crowell said that his criminal history consisted of three robbery convictions.

Fowler’s defense counsel asked Judge Crowell to place him on home confinement as he has a newborn child. Judge Crowell responded “I am consistent. If you get caught with a firearm and already have a firearms conviction, I’m going to hold you.”

Of those released, nine did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution. There were eight additional domestic violence cases, and all of the defendants were released with either stay-away or no harassing, assaulting, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders.

There were twelve misdemeanor cases, four felony cases, two traffic cases and two bench warrant cases that were all released by Judge Crowell with various release conditions.

One defendant was supposed to appear in court for their hearing as they were sent a judicial summons, but they failed to appear, so Judge Crowell issued a bench warrant for their arrest.