Featured Archives - D.C. Witness

D.C. Witness Investigation Finds Lawyers For The Indigent Beset by What the Court Calls, ‘An Exceptional Circumstance’

By Jeff Levine - November 6, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Featured | Suspects |

Details Louis Wesson, 28, has found himself in the DC Superior Court’s presentment hearings before and it has not been a happy experience. His latest encounter with the criminal justice system... Read More

D.C. Witness Investigation Finds Attorneys For The Indigent Face Caseload That’s ‘Started to Explode’

By Jeff Levine - November 4, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Featured | Suspects |

Details Room “C 10” in the DC Superior Court building is often at its busiest on Monday afternoons as defendants come out of the weekend “lock up” for their initial “presentment”... Read More

Data Shows 170 Homicides From June of 2023 to June of 2024

Details According to D.C. Witness data, there were 170 homicide incidents and 183 homicide victims between June 2023 and June 2024. In regards to those homicides, 83 arrests have been made.... Read More

Homicides Rise in DC From August to September

Details According to D.C. Witness data, as of Oct. 2, there were 17 homicide incidents and 19 homicide victims in the District in September. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has announced... Read More

DC Homicides, Non-Fatal Shootings Down Sharply From July to August

Details There were 11 homicide incidents with 15 victims in August as well as ten non-fatal shooting events wounding ten people, according to D.C. Witness data compiled on Sept. 6. That’s... Read More

Two Mass Shootings Among Incidents Causing 24 Deaths in July

Details As of Aug. 5, D.C. Witness data shows there were 22 homicide incidents in July, claiming the lives of 24 individuals. There were also 26 non-fatal shooting victims, in 17... Read More

D.C. Witness Exclusive: Increase in Stabbings Only Part of Inmate Safety Problem at DC Jail

Details Frustration about jail security boiled over during a hearing on June 25 in the DC Superior Court. Arguing for his client’s immediate release under an emergency motion, Public Defender Jason... Read More

Homicides Increase 20 Percent from May to June

Details In DC, there has been a 20 percent increase in homicides from May to June, according to D.C. Witness data. As of July 11, D.C. Witness data shows 18 homicides... Read More

Prison Stabbing Defendant Acquitted of All Charges

Details Deliberations concluded on June 12 after closing arguments in a prison stabbing case, with the jury in DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro’s courtroom acquitting the defendant of all... Read More

Data Shows Shootings Decreased by Fifty Percent from April to May

Details D.C. Witness data shows that in May there were 21 non-fatal shooting victims, a 50 percent decrease from April, which reported 42 non-fatal shooting victims in the District, as reported... Read More

Jury Acquits Homicide Defendant of All Charges

Details A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein’s courtroom acquitted a homicide defendant of all charges on May 30. Devonte Brothers, 29, was charged with first-degree murder while armed,... Read More

Jury Convicts Homicide Defendant in Stabbing of Lifelong Friend

Details A jury found a homicide defendant, charged with the murder of his lifelong friend, guilty of all charges before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on May 22. Aaron Jackson,... Read More