Court Archives - D.C. Witness

Court’s Security Systems Edge Closer to Failure

By Lucy Orgolini [former] - December 19, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Featured | Uncategorized |

Details The District of Columbia Courts face a mounting security crisis as its two-decade-old surveillance and fire alarm systems edges closer to complete failure, according to court documents. Tucked deep in... Read More

Murder Defendant’s Attorney Says He Acted in Self-Defense During ‘Home Invasion’

Details Parties delivered closing arguments during a hearing on Dec. 18, before a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom. Amard Jefferson, 25, is charged with second-degree murder while... Read More

Homicide Co-Defendants Consider Plea Deal

Details Two homicide defendants told DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun they are considering a plea deal extended by prosecutors during a Dec. 16 hearing. Ashton Inabinet, 17, and Na’eem Butler,... Read More

Homicide Defendant Pleads Guilty

Details A homicide defendant pleaded guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on Dec. 17. Antonio Johnson, 32, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in... Read More

Judge Finds Wheelchair-Bound Suspect Probably Murdered Former Lover

Details While the defense tried to portray 23-year-old Desmond Barr as a victim during a five-day preliminary hearing from Dec. 13 to Dec. 18, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe ruled... Read More

In Spite of Claiming to Defend His Wife, Probable Cause Found for Homicide Defendant

Details DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun ruled that the prosecution had sufficient evidence to prove that a defendant was the shooter in a homicide during a Dec. 16 hearing. Maurice... Read More

Murder Trial Witness Admits Lies, Hallucinations, False Memories

Details During cross examination, a defense attorney for a murder defendant extracted confessions of lying to police from a key witness in a murder trial. The witness also told Clark she... Read More

Sentencing Delayed in Homicide Case

Details DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe indefinitely delayed a homicide defendant’s sentencing pending the appointment of a new attorney on Dec. 17. On Oct. 11, Chanos Monroe, 43, pleaded guilty... Read More

Judge Denies Defendant’s Motion for Release

Details A DC Superior Court judge denied Dec. 17 a defendant’s request for release even though the crime was his first infraction. Christ Tchakounte, 19, is charged with assault with intent... Read More

Judge Sentences Defendant to 7 Years in Prison Under Youth Act for Non-fatal Shooting

Details DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced Dec. 17 an 18-year-old defendant for a non-fatal shooting. Antron Belk pleaded guilty, in September, to seven years in prison for aggregated assault... Read More

Defendant Pleads Not Guilty in Connection to Murder of Peace Corps Worker

Details A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges during a hearing on Dec. 16, before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun. Dearay Wilson, 29, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree... Read More

‘I Don’t Wish Death, But I Don’t Wish You to Have a Life,’ Says Murder Victim’s Relative at Sentencing

Details DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced Georgio Hyles to 17 years of incarceration and Omar Williams to 11 years on Dec. 13 for their involvement in the shooting death... Read More