Attorney in Homicide Case Motions For Insanity Defense

A defense attorney in a homicide case will argue the defendant is not guilty by reason of insanity before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on March 27.

Lavaughn Barnes, 35, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death and dismembering of Abdulio Arias-Lopez, 59, on Nov. 4, 2022, on the 1300 block of Kearney Street, NE.

Hannah Claudio, Barnes’ attorney, told prosecutors and Judge Kravitz that they would be filing a motion to ask for the court to find Barnes not guilty by reason of insanity. Claudio will call an expert to testify in support of the insanity defense..

For Judge Kravitz to grant Barnes an acquittal by reason of insanity, he must find that Barnes was unable to understand the wrongfulness of his actions or how they were against the law. Barnes would then be committed to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.

Prosecutors said they were unaware of these findings and they requested that Claudio share the name of the defense expert.

Judge Kravitz said he believes that motions in the case could “be very difficult.”

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 28.

Judge Says Shooting Defendant Wanting to Represent Himself is, ‘Still Not a Lawyer’

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ordered a shooting defendant to undergo a mental competency evaluation before allowing him to represent himself in the case on March 30.

Christopher Wise, 36, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, carrying a pistol without a license outside home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

These counts stem from Wise’s alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 4100 block of Hayes Street, NE on June 10, 2024. The victim sustained nine total entry and exit gunshot wounds.

Judge Brandt stated that picking a trial date has been delayed because Wise wants to represent himself dismissing his attorney, Darryl Daniels.

Before agreeing, Judge Brandt requested the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) do a mental competency to represent oneself evaluation. Even if they determine Wise is competent to represent himself, Judge Brandt insisted that Wise is “not going solo” and will have an advisor at trial as he is “still not a lawyer.”

To stand trial a defendant must show enough mental competence to understand the charges and help his attorney.

While selecting a trial date, Judge Brandt instructed the parties to look at their 2027 calendars. Wise was clearly angered by this delay and Judge Brandt told him that due to the court’s busy schedule, the ”trial will happen in 2027” and “not a moment sooner.”

Prior to trial, parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 6 for a status hearing.

Judge Sentences Homicide Defendant to 19- Years-6 Months For Killing His Friend in Panic

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson sentenced a fatal shooting defendant to 19-and-a-half years on March 27.

Maleek Thomas, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon on Dec. 2, 2025, for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Melvin Dock Jr., 23, on Oct. 30, 2023, on the 4300 block of Halley Terrace, SE. A second victim was also injured in the shooting.

As part of the plea deal, the prosecution agreed to limit their total sentence request to 25 years of incarceration.

“He deserved time, he deserved a future,” Dock’s mother said at Thomas’ sentencing. She told Judge Dayson that her only son’s murder continues to affect her every day. She said that no outcome in the case will bring her son back, or the future he lost.

Dock’s father said he appreciates that Thomas took responsibility for his actions, but that doesn’t take away the pain. “My son didn’t deserve to die,” he said and asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence of 25 years.

The prosecution argued that Thomas has shown no recognition, acknowledgment, or remorse for killing Dock. They said Judge Dayson must take into account deterrence and punishment when deciding the sentence and asked for Thomas to serve 25 years. They argued that if this case had gone to trial, Thomas likely would have received life in prison.

Thomas’ attorney, Howard McEachern, asked for a sentence of 17-and-a-half years. He highlighted that Thomas was 21 at the time of the incident and has no prior convictions for crimes of violence.

McEachern said that Thomas had a three year friendship with Dock, and did not intend to kill him. According to previous hearings, Thomas and Dock were attempting an armed carjacking when Thomas started firing in a panic and hit two victims, unintentionally killing Dock. At sentencing, McEachern said that part of Thomas’s punishment is having to live with the knowledge that he accidentally took his friend’s life.

Thomas spoke directly to the court, saying he takes full responsibility for his actions. He apologized to Dock’s parents and said that he did not mean to kill their son. Thomas said he plans to give back to the community and help the youth upon his release.

Judge Dayson said she believes Thomas is sad and remorseful, but is less convinced that he understands his own culpability. She said that Thomas created a dangerous situation that had a tragic outcome.

She sentenced Thomas to 15-and-a-half years imprisonment for second degree-murder while armed and four years for assault with a dangerous weapon. These sentences will run consecutively, followed by three years supervised release. Thomas will be required to register as a gun offender in DC upon his release.

No further dates were set.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Soup Kitchen Homicide

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan found probable cause and denied the defendant’s release on March 30 in a fatal stabbing that occurred at a soup kitchen.

Jose Sierra Perez, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in killing 37-year-old John Despertt at Miriam’s Kitchen, which provides food and other resources to unhoused and food insecure individuals, on the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue, NW, on Feb. 5. Despertt sustained a fatal stab wound to the chest.

Judge Ryan found probable cause for second-degree murder while armed and said the facts of the case are “sparse” but “more than sufficient” to find probable cause. He said there is no evidence of mitigating circumstances, meaning factors that would lessen the crime’s severity.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who the prosecutors called to testify said multiple witnesses saw Despertt fall to the ground and the suspect walk away. She said one witness saw the suspect carrying an item described as a “short blade.” The detective said a security guard later recovered the weapon, which was a “multi-tool” with suspected blood on it.

Security footage played in court showed the dining and kitchen area at Miriam’s Kitchen, and the detective said the stabbing occurred near a refreshments area off camera.

Witnesses have not identified anyone else as suspects in the case, according to the detective.

During cross-examination, the detective said all of the witnesses faced away from Despertt during the incident, so they did not see who stabbed him. She said three of them named a potential witness who they believe actually saw the stabbing, but MPD has not been able to contact him.

According to court documents, Sierra Perez was detained as a suspect on scene after he was reportedly witnessed with a knife. MPD identified him through the hospital discharge paperwork he had at the time of his arrest dated Feb. 4 with the name “Jose Sierra Perez,” but police found no official identification.

One of the witnesses said without using Sierra Perez’s name that the suspect had come into Miriam’s Kitchen intoxicated before, according to the detective.

The detective said she has no information suggesting the stabbing was an accident or self-defense.

Christen Philips, Sierra Perez’s attorney, asked Judge Ryan not to find probable cause because no witnesses actually saw the stabbing, and police did not run any tests to find out if the substance on the recovered weapon was Despertt’s blood.

A prosecutor said they did not need to find a motive or reason for the stabbing and said the “absence of evidence is evidence,” pointing to a lack of mitigating circumstances.

After Judge Ryan found probable cause, Philips asked him to release Sierra Perez, who is unhoused, to a shelter that was expecting him had he been released. According to Phillips, she located Spanish-speaking substance abuse and mental health care services should Sierra Perez, who only speaks Spanish, need them.

The prosecutor said Sierra Perez poses a flight risk because he has no ties to DC and tried to flee the stabbing scene. He said Sierra Perez is a “very real danger” to society because he “senselessly” killed another unhoused man.

“If there is one place Sierra Perez shouldn’t be, it’s a shelter because that’s where he committed this crime,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Ryan denied Sierra Perez’s release and ordered a mental competency screening upon Philips’ request. To stand trial, Sierra Perez must understand the charges against him and be able to aid his attorney in his defense.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 8.

Defendant Receives Fully Suspended Sentence

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe gave a non-fatal shooting defendant a suspended sentence of six months on March 27.

Jamira Guillory, 24, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, second-degree cruelty to children, carrying a pistol without a license outside a business or home, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for her involvement in a non-fatal shooting at the intersection of 18th and Bryant Street, NE on Aug. 24, 2025.

She pleaded guilty Jan. 20 to carrying a pistol without a license outside a business or home for her involvement.

The prosecutor requested a suspended sentence of 15 months with 18 months of supervised probation. According to the prosecution, a five-year-old child was in the backseat of the car, which she said is concerning.

The prosecution also requested that Judge Pipe order mental health assessments as part of Guillory’s probation conditions.

Guillory’s attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, asked Judge Pipe to sentence her client under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows people under 25 who are convicted of certain crimes to have their convictions sealed or cleared after they successfully complete their sentence and potentially offers sentencing flexibility.

Sapirstein asked Judge Pipe to sentence Guillory at the bottom of the sentencing guidelines: six months suspended.

Sapirstein said Guillory has done community service in the past when applying for college, so she is familiar with the work that the YRA requires. Also, Sapirstein agreed with Judge Pipe that Guillory would benefit from mental health services.

“I’m sorry,” Guillory said to Judge Pipe.

Judge Pipe acknowledged that Guillory had no criminal history and was eligible for the YRA. As a result, Judge Pipe sentenced her to a suspended sentence of six months and one year of supervised probation. Guillory must also register as a gun offender in DC.

Requirements of Guillory’s probation include mental health assessments, no possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon and 90 hours of community service.

No further dates were set.

Defendant Enters Guilty Plea 3 Days Before Homicide Trial

At a hearing on March 27, a stabbing defendant entered a guilty plea before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park ahead of a jury trial.

Charles Haythe, 34, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a prohibited weapon, and carrying a dangerous weapon outside of a home or business. The charges stemmed from his involvement in the fatal stabbing of Aaron Langford, 26, on Oct. 25, 2021 on the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE.

During the hearing, Haythe’s attorney, Julie Swaney, told the court that her client wanted to resolve the case by accepting a plea offer from prosecutors instead of going to trial, which was scheduled to begin on March 30.

The agreement required Haythe to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for the prosecution dismissing all other charges.

The prosecution presented their factual basis for the plea, and said that if the case had gone to trial, they would have been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Langford approached the passenger window of a car where Haythe was seated. Langford stabbed Haythe through the car window, causing injuries to Haythe’s arms and chest.

Haythe exited his vehicle, chased Langford, picked up a sharp object, and injured Langford not in self-defense. Judge Park confirmed with Haythe that these facts were true and accurate.

As part of the plea deal, parties agreed to a sentence of five years of imprisonment, all suspended but time Haythe already served, in favor of 18 months of supervised probation. The sentence is subject to the judge’s approval at sentencing.

Before the hearing concluded, Swaney requested the court remove Haythe’s GPS monitoring on account of full compliance with his release conditions, and Judge Park granted the request.

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 29 for sentencing.

Restaurant Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A defendant accused of shooting and killing a man inside of an America’s Best Wings pleaded not guilty at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on March 27.

Antoine Lawery, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, for his alleged involvement in the shooting and death of Jacquise Zanders. 21, at the 4500 block of Benning Road, SE, on May 13, 2025. All of these offenses were committed while Lawery was on release for another unrelated matter.

According to court documents, Lowery allegedly shot at Zander as he entered the restaurant to pick up his order. After shooting him he fled the scene.

Terrence Austin, Lawery’s attorney, told Judge Kravitz that he would be pleading not guilty to these charges, and they would like to choose a trial date.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 18 for a status hearing.

Homicide Defendant Seeks Release Due to ‘Life Threatening’ Issues

A homicide defendant’s attorney argued for his release after he developed severe medical issues under Department of Corrections (DOC) care. The matter came before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 31.

Desmond Barr Jr., 25, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of more than one year for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Ambria Farmer, 21, on the 3300 block of Fort Dupont Drive, SE, on July 13, 2024. Farmer sustained three gunshot wounds.

All charges face an aggravating factor of allegedly being committed while Barr was on release for a prior offense.

Barr was not present at the hearing. A discharge summary from Howard University Hospital was shared with the defense and DOC, but it was unclear to both parties if he had actually been discharged.

Barr’s attorney, Hannah Claudio, said Barr developed a series of medical issues beginning on March 22. He had a hematoma in his left leg, a wound where blood pools inside the body and causes swelling, and rhabdomyolysis, the rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle, according to his defense. Claudio also said he had an E. coli urinary tract infection after it was treated improperly.

“All three of these conditions were life threatening, and all three of these conditions were preventable,” Claudio said.

Barr, who is paralyzed from the waist down as a result of a 2020 spinal cord injury, was taken to the emergency room on March 23 after his left leg swelled more and he began to feel pain. He was lifted into a Ford Explorer and not secured with a seatbelt, Claudio said. The jostling movement may have made his conditions worse, Claudio said a doctor informed the defense.

A doctor with the defense told the court that Barr’s recent conditions are not typical for someone with a spinal cord injury.

Another doctor from Unity Health Care, who works with the DOC, said the hematoma was likely related to the blood thinners Barr took after being treated for deep vein thrombosis–severe bloood clots– in November 2025. The DOC doctor noted that Barr reported banging his leg when getting out of bed prior to developing the hematoma, a minor trauma which can increase the chances of bleeding issues in people on blood thinners.

“All the issues we said Barr had are established, pre-existing conditions,” the DOC doctor said.

The defense doctor said individuals with Barr’s conditions can develop additional medical issues, but she was concerned the DOC could not recognize changes or exacerbation’s in Barr’s illnesses and could not catch them early enough.

Claudio noted that after Barr was treated for deep vein thrombosis, the hospital ordered that he have a follow-up appointment with a hematologist that she said never occurred.

“They could have recognized he was at high-risk of hematoma,” Claudio said.

The DOC doctor said Barr was seen by a hematologist who suggested he switch to a new blood thinner, but Claudio said this assessment occurred at his initial hospitalization. The DOC doctor said he has a follow-up with the hematologist.

Barr’s defense requested his release to attend an in-patient program before being transferred to a rehabilitation center for physical therapy. Claudio said this program would likely take five weeks or more, after which Barr could be placed in home confinement at his sister or mother’s home.

A representative from the DC Public Defender Service (PDS) Office of Rehabilitation and Development said a GPS monitor could be placed on Barr’s left leg or wrists to circumvent the hematoma swelling in his left leg. They also noted that Barr’s car, which was specially designed for a paralyzed driver, is being held by DC, so he will not have any access to a vehicle while confined.

Claudio said this arrangement would provide Barr access to his medical team, preventing further issues. “When he is at home, he is in control,” Claudio said.

Another doctor with the DOC said they would be able to manage Barr’s conditions and physical therapy at the DC Jail. He said Barr can be taken off site for any treatments that can not be completed at the jail or that require special equipment.

“If that is all possible, why wasn’t it done before?” Judge Park asked.

The other DOC doctor said Barr was being slowly weaned off treatments related to his previous medical issues. He also said Barr’s deep vein thrombosis risk was increased by the additional time he spent seated while incarcerated.

He added that they work for Unity Health Care, which is contracted by the DOC, so they would prioritize Barr’s medical needs over DOC requests.

“We work for Unity, not for DOC. There is a medical standard that needs to be followed and we will not be stopped,” the doctor said. “If there is anything beyond DOC, then we would file for compassionate release.”

The prosecution did not make any arguments at this hearing, but Judge Park said he understood they would likely maintain their objections to any changes to incarceration.

Judge Park did not make any decisions about Barr’s custody during the hearing. The prosecutor said members of Farmer’s family would likely want to address the court.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 1.

Defense Questions if CashApp Exchange Counts as Robbery in Murder Trial

The prosecution argued although an apparent CashApp robbery was not a “snatch and grab,” it should still count as felony murder trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz in trial on March 31.

The defense argued against the charge. They contend the felony robbery prosecutors allege Macedo was intending to commit was not carried out, because nothing from Emerson’s physical body was taken.

Prosecutors objected, saying that the 300 dollar Cash App transaction from Emerson’s phone to Macedo’s phone is a robbery, and just because it wasn’t a “snatch and grab,” doesn’t mean it wasn’t a robbery.

Judge Kravitz stated that he did not know the law about electronic robbery, but he would look into it.

The judge denied a defense motion for acquittal because there is proof of Macedo taking money from Emerson, and trying to take his backpack when the fight ensued, therefore he did not “abandon” the robbery, like defense stated.

Jaime Macedo, 24, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, felony murder while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson at the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE at The Catholic University of America’s campus on July 5, 2023. Emerson sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

Without the jury present, the prosecution read his questions of a police officer, which he intended to introduce during trial. The prosecution had asked the officer about his experience handling firearms and argued the testimony was necessary to explain how they work.

Jessica Willis, Macedo’s attorney, objected saying the prosecution’s testimony is “empirically rooted,” rather than, what Kravitz echoed to the court from previous proceedings, an “expert testimony masquerading as a layman’s testimony.”

Judge Kravitz asked the prosecution not to use the testimony with the stipulation the defense does not make “improper arguments.” The prosecutor claimed the defense inaccurately said before the jury that an accidental shooting would not eject a shell casing. There was no casing found on scene.

The jury arrived and the prosecution called a senior DNA analyst as an expert witness. The expert tested a backpack handle, a face mask, a ski mask, and an AirPod found at the scene.

According to the expert, the backpack handle and face mask were congruent with Emerson’s DNA while the ski mask had DNA congruent with Macedo. There was evidence of both Macedo’s and Emerson’s DNA on the AirPod, with Macedo having a higher percentage of comparibility.

In cross-examination by Willis, the expert said there were two quality control issues during DNA testing. Willis pointed out that two rounds of DNA testing after two quality issues in the same case raises concerns.

The prosecution confirmed with the expert that both of the quality issues did not affect the second round nor did it cause contamination. The expert continued, saying usually less than one percent of cases per year have a quality issue. The issues in this case were separated by a year.

During a brief recess, the parties reviewed a series of videos compiled and edited together by the prosecution. Rachel Cicurel, Macedo’s other attorney, objected to the video of Macedo biking because she argued the brief black screen would encourage the jury to speculate. According to Cicurel, the parties previously agreed to remove a half-second of film picturing Macedo outstretching his hand to a passing biker, which the prosecution obliged and blacked out.

The prosecution argued the blacked out footage is consistent with editing in the rest of the video and would not raise concern among the jury. Judge Kravitz agreed, stating the jury is unlikely to speculate without knowledge of what was being deleted.

Despite agreeing the jury is unlikely to speculate, Judge Kravitz ordered the prosecution to call the litigation technology specialist and re-edit the video. The prosecution obliged.

After the jury returned, the prosecution called a litigation technology specialist from the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) to testify about the video compilation he made. The specialist told the jury that he took various videos that were shared to him by the prosecutors and compiled them into one video without changing anything from the original videos.

Prosecutors played the video compilation of surveillance footage following a man dressed in all black and wearing red shoes. According to court documents, the individual pictured is Macedo. It follows him riding a bike, and approaching a man near an escalator, it then follows the two men to a park, where an interaction ensues, ending in a man’s being shot and lying on the pavement.

On cross-examination, Cicurel asked the witness why he did not zoom in on the interaction. He told her that he did not zoom in on the interaction in order to preserve the video. She also asked him why there was a segment of the video where there was no footage of the person riding his bike, and he stated that he did not receive any footage from that block. She asked him if he had independently investigated to see if there could have been security cameras on that specific block, and he said no.

The prosecution also called an expert in forensic pathology who testified about completing the autopsy on Emerson, which included taking pictures and writing the report.

Prosecutors showed a picture that the expert took depicting the entrance wound of the bullet. The expert said she took the photo right after the body was taken out of the bag because she wanted to preserve the chances of soot and stippling. According to the expert, soot is residue from the muzzle of the gun after it is fired, and stippling is tiny abrasions on the skin around the wound that are caused by gun powder after the bullet exits the gun.

The expert took another picture of the wound that depicts an abrasion rim, which she told the court is how examiners figure out the path of travel of the bullet. According to the expert, the bullet traveled upward and there was no exit wound or bullet recovered from Emerson’s body.

The expert said Emerson’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to the abdomen and the manner of death was a homicide.

Willis on cross-examination asked the expert if the manner of death is universal, and she answered no, it is not a legal definition, it is specific to forensic pathologists.

Willis asked the expert whether or not she had found any soot or stippling on Emerson’s body. The expert said she did not. The expert told Willis that distance, the force of the gun, or objects in the way between the gun and the victim could prevent soot and stippling.

Willis asked further if clothes could be in the way of soot and stippling, in which the examiner said yes in most cases clothing can prevent soot and stippling.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 1.

Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Offer, Trial Delayed For Prosecutors’ Late Evidence

A homicide defendant rejected a plea offer from the prosecution before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on March 31.

James Lewis, 48, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of prohibited weapon, and three counts of contempt for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 30-year-old Brenea Franklin on Jan. 30, 2021 on the 1100 block of Bellevue Street, SE. Franklin sustained a laceration to her neck.

The prosecution put a plea offer on the record. If agreed to, Lewis would plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed in exchange for a sentencing range of 15-to-18 years imprisonment and the dismissal of all other charges.

Lewis said he had discussed the offer with his attorney, Mani Golzari, and rejected it. Judge Ryan found that he did so knowingly and voluntarily.

The previously scheduled trial date of April 1 was pushed back to allow the defense to conduct an investigation of evidence recently disclosed by prosecutors.

Golzari argued that surveillance footage and police body-worn camera footage should not be admitted as evidence due to the prosecution’s failure to turn it over immediately to the defense.

The prosecution said they did not receive the requested footage until March 11, and immediately disclosed it to the defense.

Golzari argued that surveillance footage from the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, NE was in the government’s possession for over a year before they turned it over to the defense.

According to Golzari, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives investigating the case did not view or preserve all the footage they acquired once they had identified a suspect through DNA evidence. Golzari said this raises questions about the diligence of the investigation.

Golzari told Judge Ryan that despite initially telling the court there was no body-worn camera footage, the prosecution recently told the defense there were three officers involved from Prince George’s County, MD wearing cameras. He said he has only received one of these clips.

The prosecution clarified that they recently learned the officers were wearing cameras and assumed there were three. However, they later learned there were only two cameras activated. They said they have turned over one of the clips, and they are getting the other one.

Judge Ryan agreed that the detectives’ inattention to surveillance footage suggests negligence.

For those videos and the late disclosed surveillance footage from Chesapeake Street, Judge Ryan suggested there was a negative inference, which assumes that the related evidence would be damaging to the prosecution’s case.

However, he denied Golzari’s motion to dismiss the case against Lewis.

Judge Ryan also allowed the defense to push back the trial date in order to conduct their own investigation of the newly received evidence.

Parties are slated to reconvene April 30 for a status hearing, to address remaining motions and set a new trial date.

Judge Warns Murder Suspect To Comply With Release Conditions

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman warned a homicide defendant to comply with his pretrial release conditions in a March 27 hearing.

Karim Ibrahim, 22, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home/business for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Javonni Coleman on Jan. 16, 2024 on the 2400 block of S Street, SE. According to court documents, Coleman sustained gunshot wounds to the head, torso, and lower extremities.

Judge Edelman told Ibrahim’s attorney, Kevin Mosley, that he received a report from the Pre-Trial Services Agency (PSA) detailing three curfew violations. A representative from PSA asked for a judicial warning urging Ibrahim to comply.

Judge Edelman acknowledged Ibrahim’s previous compliance with his release conditions, but warned him that further violations will lead to stricter release conditions or a revocation of release.

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 11.

Eyewitness in Fatal Crash Says ‘Seatbelt Saved [His] Life’

Three eyewitnesses testified during a triple-homicide jury trial in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 25.

Nakita Walker, 46, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, fleeing a law enforcement officer, and assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a fatal car crash, which killed Mohamed Kamara, 43, Jonathan Cabrera Mendez, 23, and Olvin Josue Torres Velasquez, 22. The incident occurred on Rock Creek Parkway, NW, on March 15, 2023.

The prosecution called an eyewitness who received immunity for marijuana possession charges for cooperating in the case. The eyewitness claimed to be a friend of Walker’s, but prosecutors said he was her ex-boyfriend.

According to the eyewitness, he and Walker had seen a movie on the night of the incident. The eyewitness admitted to smoking marijuana before the movie, but claimed Walker did not. Prosecutors showed the eyewitness his grand jury testimony, where he claimed Walker had smoked a joint the night of the incident, and he said the account he gave to the grand jury was “not correct.”

The eyewitness then stated he did not remember signing an immunity letter in relation to the marijuana possession charges. Prosecutors showed the eyewitness the letter, which bore his signature, but he claimed he never signed it.

After the movie, Walker drove the eyewitness to the liquor store, where he said he purchased a bottle of Hennessy Cognac. The eyewitness then got back in Walker’s car, and shared some of the bottle with Walker before she dropped him off again at a gas station.

The eyewitness said Walker later returned with two women in her car. Upon re-entering Walker’s car, the eyewitness noticed some liquor was missing from the Hennessy bottle, but he did not know who drank it.

The eyewitness stated that Walker’s behavior seemed off when she returned to the gas station, prompting him to request that drive for the rest of the night, which Walker denied.

Walker and the eyewitness then dropped Walker’s friends off at home and headed for Walker’s residence. The eyewitness then got into a verbal altercation with Walker about who should be driving.

The pair were pulled over by a police officer, who approached Walker’s vehicle on the passenger side, said the eyewitness. The officer began conversing with the eyewitness and allegedly confiscated marijuana from his pocket. At this point, Walker pulled the vehicle away from the traffic stop, believing the officer was harassing the eyewitness. The officer didn’t pursue Walker’s vehicle.

After fleeing the officer, the eyewitness said he told Walker to slow down her car. The eyewitness saw headlights quickly approaching Walker’s vehicle and braced himself for impact as the two cars collided. The eyewitness recalled losing consciousness during the crash, and said the “seatbelt saved [his] life.”

After exiting the car and checking himself for injuries, the eyewitness removed Walker, who was unconscious, from the vehicle and placed her on the pavement. The eyewitness also went to check on those in the other car, stating that two other individuals stopped on the road to assist the victims of the crash. The eyewitness then walked up the road and was met by police who questioned him.

On cross-examination, the eyewitness told Walker’s attorney, Albert Amissah, he had lived at Walker’s house at various points and had previously driven her car.

The eyewitness claimed that during the traffic stop, the officer instructed him to pour out the bottle of Hennessy that he had purchased earlier. He also said that both he and Walker were upset at the way the officer handled the traffic stop, and felt harassed.

The prosecution read the eyewitness’ grand jury testimony, where he claimed he had memory issues.

The eyewitness said he believed the other car may have been responsible for the accident and was the one to make contact with Walker’s vehicle, but he was not sure this was the case.

Prosecutors called an eyewitness who was driving on Rock Creek Parkway with her husband the night of the incident, around 1:30 a. m. According to the eyewitness, another car was driving about five car lengths in front of her and her husband in the right lane when a third car came around a bend, crossed lanes, and hit the car in the right lane.

The eyewitness stated that a tire came off one of the cars and traveled in the direction of her and her husband’s car. The witness said her husband was able to stop, then she called 911 and gave a statement to the police on the scene.

Amissah confirmed with the eyewitness that she was sure the tire came off during the crash, but she was unsure which tire it was since the road was poorly lit.

The prosecution called the eyewitness’s husband, who said he was driving his wife home from work on Rock Creek Parkway. According to the witness, he was driving south in the left lane, and saw another car driving in the same direction about five car lengths in front of him.

The eyewitness stated that he saw another car, driving the opposite direction, cross the yellow lines and hit the car in front of him head-on. The eyewitness said a tire came off one of the cars in the direction of his car, but he was successfully able to dodge it.

Amissah asked the eyewitness whether or not the tire came off before or during the crash. The witness said he believed the tire came off due to the crash, but he wasn’t entirely sure.

The prosecution then called another witness, who identified herself as a friend of Walker’s and stated that she had interacted with Walker on the night of the incident. The friend admitted that she drank wine and smoked PCP that night. Walker, who had been to the movies earlier that night, told her friend that she had not had anything to drink.

Walker’s friend stated that Walker drove her and her neighbor to a gas station in a black Lexus and picked up a man carrying a bottle of liquor and a red solo cup. The friend and her neighbor were then dropped off at home. According to the friend, there was nothing unusual about Walker’s driving.

On cross-examination, the friend claimed that Walker wasn’t drinking alcohol or smoking PCP the night of the incident. However, Walker had told her friend that there was a firearm in the black Lexus.

The prosecution stated that this was the first time the friend had mentioned the presence of a firearm in Walker’s vehicle. The friend claimed she didn’t believe it was important to mention in her grand jury testimony.

At the end of the hearing, all parties questioned a juror who had been sleeping during the testimony of an important witness the day prior. Judge Brandt ultimately decided to excuse the juror from the trial.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 30.

Defense Says They Were Misinformed That a Homicide Victim’s Wife Had Died

A homicide trial was delayed on March 30 after the defense claimed prosecutors misinformed them that the victim’s wife had died in arguments before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson.

Jamil Whitley, 38, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Kevin Redd on the 4700 block of Jay Street, NE, on June 11, 2020. Redd sustained three gunshot wounds to his shoulder, chest, and forearm.

Madalyn Harvey, Whitley’s attorney, informed Judge Dayson that she will file a motion to dismiss the case based on the failure to share evidence. According to Harvey, prosecutors previously informed the defense that Redd’s wife was deceased, but on March 22, a defense investigator learned that she was still alive.

According to the motion filed by Harvey, prosecutors were told that Redd’s wife died in May 2024, but did not tell Harvey until May 2025.

Harvey wanted Judge Dayson to revisit her previous decision against dismissing the case in light of the new information.

She first filed the motion to dismiss on June 30, 2025 because prosecutors did not send a police interview video with Redd’s wife, holding it for four years. A month after receiving the video, Harvey was made told she died. If she had received the video earlier, she would have spoken to the witness sooner, Harvey told Judge Dayson.

“There are countless inaccurate representations and a pattern of carelessness,” Harvey said about prosecutors’ actions in the case.

Judge Dayson proposed prosecutors call the facility where Redd’s wife has received treatment for a neurological disorder to try and get clarity.

Harvey told Judge Dayson that she is not comfortable with relying on prosecutors because of what she termed past carelessness.

Prosecutors told the court that the facility told them it would take anywhere between seven-to-10 days to get a full report.

Judge Dayson and parties agreed they would call the facility immediately to get all of Redd’s wife’s pertinent medical records

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 1.

Teenage Suspect in Two Shootings Takes a Plea

A teenage shooting defendant who injured two victims accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park during a hearing on March 26.

London Wells, 18, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to murder while armed for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 600 block of Mellon Street, SE on Aug. 18, 2025. One victim sustained multiple shots to his buttocks and right calf causing internal damage to his bladder, hip and chest cavity. A second victim suffered a shot to his right calf.

Wells was charged under Title 16, which allows prosecutors to try juveniles as adults for certain serious offenses.

Had the case gone to trial, the prosecution said they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Wells got into a verbal dispute about his aunt. Wells then pushed one of the victims and fired five shots, injuring both.

During the hearing, the prosecution extended an offer to Wells that required him to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to drop all other charges and limit their sentence request to the bottom third of the applicable sentencing guidelines.

According to the sentencing guidelines, assault with intent to kill has a maximum term of 15 years. Assault with a dangerous weapon carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business imposes a maximum of five years of imprisonment.

Wells’ attorney, David Akulian, accepted the plea on his client’s behalf. Akulian explained to Judge Park that he plans to argue in support of a sentence in the bottom third of the guidelines.

Judge Park clarified he is not bound by the plea offer and could have the sentences run consecutively.

US Marshals escorted Wells out of the courtroom as his family said goodbye.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 5.

Murder Defendant’s Release is an ‘Extraordinary Opportunity,’ Judge Says

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park gave a non-compliant homicide defendant a second chance regarding his release terms on March 26.

Steven Washington, 26 is charged with conspiracy, first-degree felony murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, and attempting to commit robbery while armed. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Nurudeen Thomas, 30, on the 4100 block of 14th Street, NW, on July 21, 2020.

D.C. Witness previously reported, Washington failed to appear for his hearing on March 23 and has had failed to contact his attorneys, Quo Judkins and Veronice Holt, and Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and has been non-compliant with GPS guidelines.

He appeared at his last hearing on March 25, however, it was delayed to the next day because, according to Judge Park, Judkins had an “unexpected emergency.”

During the hearing, Judge Park went through PSA documents regarding Washington’s non-compliance. According to the documents, Washington’s GPS device was dead for 48 hours resulting in a loss of contact.

Judkins said Washington was unable to communicate with PSA and the attorneys in this period of time because of his housing problems.

She explained he has been living in a hotel and neither the attorneys nor PSA had his contact information, since Washington did not know his hotel phone number. She explained, the hotel had checked him out without Washington’s knowledge and when he came back from work his belongings were removed by hotel staff leading to the dead battery and communication issues.

“My understanding is that Washington has spoken with PSA yesterday and today,” Judkins said. “His understanding regarding GPS charging is that when the device blinks red he needs to charge it.”

A PSA agent at the hearing, clarified to Washington and Judkins that he needs to charge the device every day for one hour.

The prosecution requested that Washington turn himself in to DC Jail, arguing his serious charge requires perfect compliance with his release terms.

Judkins said when he lost contact, Washington was unaware of the GPS charging rules and now he’s “making steps to make sure that it never happens again” by contacting his PSA agent everyday even though that is not required.

Judge Park reiterated the prosecution’s argument and said it is rare for someone facing homicide charges to be on release.

“He’s been given an extraordinary opportunity” to be out in the community, Judge Park said.

He acknowledged that Washington did show up for his previous hearing, which was a step in the right direction.

As a result, Judge Park rejected the prosecution’s request to revoke Washington’s release and scheduled another hearing for him to demonstrate “perfect compliance.”

The judge also acknowledged his housing issues, but he told Washington that was not an excuse for non-compliance.

Judge Park asked PSA to immediately alert him if Washington is not being compliant.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene April 21.

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