Three homicide co-defendants pleaded not guilty to more than 100 charges at their arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Nov. 14.
Keondre Carroll, 22, Steven Metts, 20, and Jovontae Wallace, 21, are charged with conspiracy, two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, eight counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, 15 counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, five counts of assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, 38 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of robbery while armed, attempted robbery while armed, kidnapping while armed, four counts of endangerment with a firearm, four counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm, and three counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.
Carroll and Metts are additionally charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, one count of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.
Carroll is also facing eight counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, three counts of endangerment with a firearm, three counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm, first-degree burglary while armed, second-degree cruelty to children, destruction of property, misdemeanor credit card fraud, and an additional count of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.
Meanwhile, Metts is also charged with six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of endangerment with a firearm, two counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm, two counts of destruction of property, threatening to kidnap or injure, and four counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.
These charges stem from their alleged involvement in the homicide of Raymond Ballard, 59, on Jan. 23, 2024 on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, and the homicide of Malik Gliss on Jan. 24, 2024 on the 4600 block of Livingston Road SE.
The charges also stem from their alleged involvement in various non-fatal shootings occurring on Dec. 29, on the 3300 block of Wheeler Road, SE, Dec. 30, 2023, on the 2800 block of Hartford Street,SE, Dec. 31, 2023 on the 300 block of 37th Street SE, Jan. 1, 2024, on the 400 block of T Street NW, and Jan. 5., 2024 on the 2800 block of 23rd Place SE.
During the hearing, Megan Allburn, Wallace’s attorney, Kevin Irving, Metts’ attorney, and Gemma Stevens, Carroll’s attorney, alerted the court of their intent to plead not guilty to all charges, and asserted their rights to a speedy trial.
Irving and Stevens raised concerns about delays in the discovery process, noting that the defense had initially been told a hard-drive, containing “voluminous” evidence, would be available in August. The prosecution guaranteed that phone evidence would be delivered Nov. 17, and that all other requested materials had already been provided.
The court also finalized a trial date of May 24, 2027, a timeline Judge Ryan acknowledged took considerable time to arrange, remarking that “consensus is hard to reach these days.”
The parties are slated to reconvene on Jan. 30, 2026.
