Judge Finds Probable Cause, But Releases Murder Defendant on HISP

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 13, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

On Aug. 12, a DC Superior Court judge decided that a murder case has enough evidence to go to trial. The judge also released the defendant into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)

Daniel Gayden is charged with second-degree murder. He is accused of stabbing 56-year-old Ronald Collins to death on June 1 on the 5100 block of A Street, SE. 

Judge Neal Kravitz denied defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman’s motion to dismiss the case, but asked her to file a motion to sanction the prosecution.

According to court documents, Gayden, 54, got into an argument with the victim about a woman with whom the prosecution said they were both interested in pursuing romantically. Gayden was in a car with a woman outside of Collins’ house. After the woman went into the victim’s house for a short time, the victim walked out and began arguing with Gayden for “disrespect[ing] his woman.”

Witnesses said Collins said, “put the knife down and fight me like a man.” Collins briefly left, but allegedly returned with a cane, which he used to strike the defendant’s rear passenger window.

The cane got stuck in the vehicle, causing Collins to be dragged as Gayden drove away. The defendant allegedly exited the vehicle, kicked the victim twice and stabbed him.

Cadman introduced an audio recording of a 911 call where a witness said the victim was holding a knife. This is despite the prosecution’s statement during the initial hearing that the victim was “completely defenseless.” 

Cadman said the prosecution did not provide her with the 911 call, even though it was filed as evidence on June 2. In a June 24 motion for evidence, she wrote that the prosecution had only provided her with the police report. 

Through independent investigation, Cadman discovered the 911 call, of which the prosecution had not alerted her. Cadman said the prosecution also never corrected the police document with this information, as required.

“I find very disturbing the government’s behavior in this case,” said Judge Kravitz. 

He said it is the prosecution’s responsibility to provide this evidence and update court documents.

“Any prosecutor handling murder cases- or misdemeanor cases for that matter- should know that,” said Judge Kravitz. “What I find most disturbing… is that so many of your legal arguments are premised on clear misstatements of the law.”

The prosecution showed a photo of Collins in the middle of a road, covered in blood next to the cane.

The prosecution also presented pictures of suspected blood on the defendant’s shoes, pants and a knife. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) recovered the knife from the defendant’s vehicle. 

Cadman said the defendant was wearing different clothes than what a witness described. 

She also said one witness described the murder weapon as having a hook, which Gayden’s knife did not have.

During cross-examination, Cadman asked the lead detective if the victim had a prior manslaughter charge and he said he did not know. 

He also did not know whether the woman was located or if the blood on the knife was tested.

The prosecution said there was a prior altercation between Gayden, Collins and Collins’ family in July 2019. The defendant was charged with disorderly behavior for allegedly being loud outside of the families’ Maryland house. The prosecution said the defendant also made threats to kill the whole family.

Judge Kravitz said there was no factual basis to this argument since the defendant was not charged with threats. However, the prosecution said this is because five people must be present for police to charge threats in Maryland. The case was ultimately dropped because police officers did not appear in court.

The prosecution asked that the defendant be held due to the danger he presents to the community. 

The prosecution said Gayden assaulted a woman multiple times, at points making her go to the hospital. In a police interview, the woman said if Gayden knew she was providing information, he would kill her.

The prosecution also said the witnesses are at risk now that the defendant is aware of some of their addresses.

However, Cadman requested her client’s release, pointing out that the defendant only has one prior conviction for a 2004 marijuana-related offense.

Judge Kravitz released the defendant under HISP, with stay away orders from the decedent’s family, a woman and 5100 block of A Street, SE. 

“I won’t let you down,” the defendant said.

Gayden’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14.