Judge Holds 12 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 27, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 26, DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur held 12 defendants in DC Jail and released 29 defendants during initial hearings. 

Judge Arthur held Jacobi Williams in connection with a first-degree murder charge. 

On Sept. 17, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to gunshots on the 7000 block of Blair Road, NW. Phillip Roache, 38, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene. A second victim was treated at the Washington Hospital Center.

Defense counsel argued that there was an identification issue in the police report, asking Judge Arthur not to find probable cause. The judge, however, did find probable cause, citing the “significant amount of circumstantial evidence in this case” that points to Williams, 34, being involved in the murder. Judge Arthur decided to hold Williams, citing the evidence as well as his past criminal history, which includes an assault with a firearm charge in which he is pending sentencing. 

Mackel McGrier is a fugitive from Maryland with an underlying aggravated assault charge. McGrier waived his right to an extradition hearing opting to be held in DC Jail for Maryland authorities. 

Taheed Ebron, 19, was held in connection with an armed carjacking that occurred in Maryland. Ebron decided to waive his right to an extradition hearing, opting to wait or Maryland authorities to pick him up. Ebron was also charged with simple assault but was released in that case.

Judge Arthur decided to hold a domestic violence defendant after initially deciding to release him. The defendant had returned to the victim’s apartment in order to recover some belongings. However, during a hearing on Oct. 24, the defendant was ordered to stay away from the victim. 

Herman Elliott is charged with attempting to distribute an unlawful substance, cocaine and oxycodone. Elliott, 50, had two prior convictions from 1990. He was released from prison in August 2019 on the conditions that he would be on parole for life. Judge Arthur determined Elliott was in violation of his parole and held him.

Marvin Davis was held in connection with unlawful entry and second-degree theft charges. Davis, 24, has been arrested five times in the past week and remains one of the top 10 most charged defendants in DC this year. Judge Arthur held him and scheduled a forensic screening to test his mental competency.

Donnie Leake was held in connection with an armed carjacking. Leake, 23, allegedly stole an SUV from the victim on the unit block of Hawaii Avenue, NE. Given the serious nature of the alleged crime, Judge Arthur decided to hold Leake, pending his next hearing. 

Donnell Wilkinson was held on two pending bench warrants from 2019. Wilkinson, 18, was convicted of second-degree theft in both cases. A bench warrant was issued in August after Wilkinson failed to comply with probation requirements. 

Wilkinson was also brought before the court on two additional charges of assault and second-degree theft. Judge Arthur held him in his new case, as well on a $25 bond.

Judge Arthur held Ernestina Njie, 39, on two misdemeanor simple assault charges and contempt. She was also brought in on a fugitive case, but Judge Arthur released her on that charge. 

Jawneh Abdoulie is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and receiving stolen property. Judge Arthur held Abdoulie, 19, citing the dangerousness of the alleged crime.

Judge Arthur decided to hold Dalonte Stewart on charges of GPS tampering and possession of a controlled substance. Stewart, 20, allegedly cut off his GPS monitor and was in possession of the drug called Molly. The judge said he was a flight risk and a danger to the community.

Marquis Bullocks, 27, is charged with a traffic offense of reckless driving. He was released on his new case but held on a parole warrant.

Of the defendants who were released, eight defendants were charged in domestic violence cases. All were released with either stay-away orders or no harassing, assaulting, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders.

Judge Arthur released six defendants on misdemeanor charges, three defendants on traffic charges, six defendants with felony charges, four defendants charged as fugitives and two defendants brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear at their hearings. All were released with various conditions, including stay-away orders, no HATS orders, checking in with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and not possessing firearms in DC.

An additional 26 defendants did not have charges brought against them by the prosecution, so they were also released.