Alleged drug dealer on trial for 1991 homicide

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 24, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

A man arrested for allegedly killing three people in 1991, in what seems to be a drug deal gone bad, is currently undergoing trial.

After jury selection, the trial for the case against Benito Valdez began on Jan. 23. Valdez, 45, was arrested on Feb. 16, 2016 and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The trial stems from a shooting involving Curtis Pixley, 29, Keith Simmons, 24, and Samantha Gillard, 23. All three were found with apparent gunshot wounds on the 1800 block of Franklin Street, NE on April 23, 1991. They were unconscious when officers arrived and they were pronounced dead on the scene.

According to documents by the Metropolitan Police Department, Valdez and Michael Green were selling drugs in Langdon Park in Northeast D.C. on the morning of the homicide. Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Merikas gave the government’s opening statement and described the events leading up to the homicide.

Merikas told members of the jury about Pixley and Simmons, two of the people allegedly killed by Valdez. Pixley and Simmons went to Langdon Park looking to buy drugs. They sought out Valdez and Green to purchase crack cocaine.

After inspecting the product, Pixley changed his mind and gave it back. However, Valdez didn’t receive all of the drugs back and pulled out his gun at Pixley and Simmons. Valdez saw that neither Pixley or Simmons had money and forced them to start searching for the missing drugs.

Samantha Gillard, the third person killed in the homicide, was waiting in the car and came to see what was taking so long. She was forced to perform oral sex on Valdez, according to the prosecution. In connection with homicides, Valdez is also being charged with sodomy while armed.

According to the Merikas, Valdez forced Pixley, Simmons and Gillard to lay face down with their hands on their head, elbows touching. Autopsy reports stated that the victims’ DNA hair folicles were found on their hands.

Merikas said Valdez allegedly pulled out a gun and shot each person until there were no more bullets. Following autopsy reports from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, it was determined that two separate guns were used in the homicide. According to Merikas, although Green was present during the homicide, he said he did not fire any shots.

Green told the government about the events leading up to the homicide, which was corroborated by other testimonies. He told the government that Pixley, Simmons and Gillard were all killed “execution-style” by Valdez.

The murder weapon was never found. But, Merikas told the jury that Valdez and Green went back to Valdez’s mother’s house to take apart and clean the gun before throwing it off a bridge. Investigators discovered DNA evidence — Valdez’s semen and spit on Gillard’s clothing — to connect him to the crime.

While the defense counsel did not dispute the DNA found on Gillard’s clothes, defense attorney Lee Goebes told the jury that Green is an unreliable witness who has lied while testifying in court before. Green has also been charged for four other homicides and expected to be charged for allegedly killing a fifth person. He also told the government that Valdez and Gillard had sexual intercourse, but the medical examiner didn’t find any evidence of vaginal penetration after Gillard’s autopsy.

In addition, Goebes said drug users often exchanged sexual favors for drugs and it was possible Gillard did the same with Valdez. Another man’s semen was also found on Gillard’s clothing.

Michael Thompson, another member of the drug gang, testified in court that Pixley was a “go-hard” user who would fight and steal for crack cocaine and Valdez had a reputation for being a “bully” who would use aggressive tactics to get users to buy drugs from him. He also said it was common for users to pull tricks while inspecting drugs, such as grabbing and running off with drugs or pinching some drugs off before handing it back.

On Jan. 24, an expert witness, who was an undercover officer brought in by the prosecution, testified about his work with drug users and dealers as well as his knowledge about drugs in D.C.

The witness said his experience as an undercover cop makes him familiar with how drugs are packaged, prices of drugs and where to buy drugs in D.C. The undercover police officer has testified as a witness on behalf of the government 96 times and has been contacted by defense counsel in the past as well. While he said he had no first-hand knowledge about Valdez’s specific case, he said there was no specific distinction between drug activity in one area verses another.

Photographs of the crime scene were also shown to the jury, which showed where Pixley, Simmons and Gillard were found on the morning of April 23.

Valdez is being held without bond and is due back in court on Jan. 25.