Homicides Archives - D.C. Witness

Tempers Flare Between Opposing Lawyers After Murder Mistrial

Details DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt admonished argumentative attorneys and obstreperous defendants after a jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict in a homicide case on May 7. Demonte Gibson,... Read More

Jury Convicts Defendant of Killing Co-Worker

Details A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park’s courtroom convicted a homicide defendant of all charges on May 5. Ranje Reynolds, 28, was charged with first-degree murder while armed... Read More

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for 1 year old’s Death

Details The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 24-year-old Wayne Blake, who is alleged to have been involved in the homicide of 1-year-old Journee Moore from Upper Marlboro, MD.... Read More

Eyewitness Describes Murder Victim’s Futile Plea for Help

Details The trial in a fatal shooting case continued on May 7 before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park with a witness recounting how the bloody victim pleaded for help. Naquel... Read More

Homicide Juror Dismissed For Fear of Retaliation

Details A juror communicated concern to DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz‘s chambers about potential retaliation if murder and mass shooting defendants are found guilty. The issue came up during a... Read More

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Fatal Stabbing in Dupont Circle

Details The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 46-year-old Donald Shields, who is alleged to be involved in a fatal stabbing in Dupont Circle on Dec 30. The victim,... Read More

Attorneys in a 2016 Murder Case Will File to Dismiss Based on Lack of Prosecution

Details DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz ordered a 2016 homicide defendant be released from St. Elizabeths hospital during a hearing on May 2, and his attorney says the case should... Read More

Independent Counsel to Advise Murder Defendant at Sentencing

Details DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz ruled that an independent counsel be appointed to advise a murder defendant in what was supposed to be a sentencing hearing on May 2.... Read More

Murder Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing

Details DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt accepted a homicide defendant’s waiver of his right to a preliminary hearing on May 5. Derek Turrentine, 42, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated... Read More

Prosecutors Show Emotional Videos of Fatal Shooting Aftermath

Details The prosecution introduced emotional footage of the aftermath of a fatal-shooting from Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers’ body-worn cameras during a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on... Read More

Murder Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty at Arraignment

Details Two murder co-defendants pleaded not guilty to all indictment charges before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on May 2. Eric Sheffield, 20, and D’Andre Montgomery, 19, are charged with... Read More

Homicide Victim’s Wife Calls Stabbing Defendant ‘Malicious and Wild,’ Still Released to Home Confinement

Details DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan released a fatal stabbing defendant to home confinement, despite the victim’s family opposing it, during a hearing on May 2. Vanessa Bonaparte, 32, is... Read More