A non-fatal shooting defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges during an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Aug. 15.
Ernest Cleveland, 31, is charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 600 block of 19th Street, NE, on Oct. 24, 2020. Three people were injured.
Cleveland is also charged in a separate case with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Edward Pearson, 39, on the 2900 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW, on Nov. 26, 2020.
According to court records, Cleveland was charged in the non-fatal shooting in May 2024 after text messages obtained during a search warrant for the homicide and DNA evidence allegedly tied him to the incident.
During the hearing, Cleveland was arraigned in a formal reading of the charges related to the non-fatal shooting incident. Cleveland’s defense attorney, Nathaniel Mensah, pleaded not guilty to all charges on his behalf and asserted Cleveland’s right to a speedy trial.
Parties set a date to further discuss how to proceed with the case in light of Cleveland’s plea of not guilty.
They are slated to reconvene on Dec. 12 to discuss both cases.
