Convicted Shooter Assigned One More Hearing Before Probation Ends

By Laura Berol - June 10, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

Despite a report from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) recommending the termination of probation, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt scheduled Markeis Crandall to an additional hearing on June 7.

Crandall, 20, was originally charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that left two individuals injured. The incident took place on the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE, on Nov. 26, 2021.

In 2022, Crandall accepted a deal that required him to plead guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. He received a suspended sentence of five years with two years of probation.

During his term of probation, Crandall was detained at the DC Jail for multiple violations and repeatedly admitted into court-ordered residential substance abuse treatment programs.

At the June 7 hearing, a Community Supervision Officer (CSO) reported that Crandall had made progress on all the conditions of his probation. Although Crandall had failed two drug tests in May, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) recommended that his probation be concluded.

The prosecutor requested another hearing before terminating probation, in light of the failed drug tests.

Judge Brandt noted that Crandall would have finished probation by now, if not for all the show cause hearings he had required for noncompliance. 

“I want to make sure that Mr. Crandall isn’t falling back into his bad behavior with drugs before I close this case,” Judge Brandt said. 

She ordered a subsequent hearing so that Crandall could provide more convincing assurance of abiding by the terms of his probation.

“I look at the young man that you have become–that you are becoming–and you are miles away from the young man I saw before me years ago,” Judge Brandt told Crandall. “I am scared to death what will happen if I’m removed from your life, and I’m just your judge. I can’t imagine what your mother must feel.”

Alvin Thomas, who was standing in for Crandall’s attorney, Sellano Simmons, proposed that Crandall’s appearance could be waived for the next hearing.

“I want to see him in person one last time,” Judge Brandt protested. “Don’t deprive me of that.”

“I tried to save you. I think I saved you. I’m not sure yet,” Judge Brandt said to Crandall. 

To Thomas, she said, “Let me see him one last time.”

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on July 9.