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Homicide, Carjacking Defendant Accepts Plea Deal 

A homicide defendant, who killed one and injured another, accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Hahqwon Beale, 25, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, and armed carjacking, for his involvement in a carjacking and shooting incident. 

The shooting, which killed 43-year-old George Johnson, and injured another individual occurred on May 7, 2018, on the 800 block of Oglethorpe Street, NE.

Hours later, a pizza delivery man was carjacked and robbed of more than 300 dollars at gunpoint on the 400 block of Farragut Street, NW. 

In October of 2022, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted the defendant’s motion to sever the two incidents from one another, citing that, although the incidents occurred the same day, they were not directly after one another. 

On Feb. 15, a jury convicted Beale of armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the carjacking incident. 

On April 23, Beale’s attorney, Julie Swaney, informed the court that the prosecution had extended a plea offer to resolve the murder incident, and Beale accepted it.  

The deal required him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges in connection to the murder incident. Through the plea offer, parties agreed to a 21-to-25 years of imprisonment, and will request for the carjacking charges to run concurrently.

He is also waiving his right to appeal the carjacking incident conviction.  

According to the prosecution, they would have proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Beale was guilty by connecting him to the evidence collected at the scene. 

Parties are slated to return July 26 for sentencing. 

Help Us Continue to Equip You with Criminal Justice Facts in 2024

Our city’s homicide number says it all – 50 more murders this year than at the same time last year. 

But why? What is happening beyond the headlines? Other media focuses on click-bait content, “if it bleeds it leads,” but that does little to keep us informed.  And, good luck getting information from the city or the courts. 

This is where D.C. Witness steps in to fill the information gap, exposing the statistics behind violent crime in the nation’s capital and humanizing those statistics with the heartbreaking stories from the city’s murderous gun crime culture. 

It’s old-fashioned, but we do that with just the facts. Not opinion. 

This year we added the DC Victim Notification System, which sends direct updates on cases without the frustrating, and usually unsuccessful, search for information. It would seem something the city should do. But it doesn’t. So we did. 

We are committed to being your source for violent crime information in DC, so you can understand what’s going on in your community and hold Mayor Bowser, the new police chief and our courts accountable.  

Since we don’t pepper every post with requests for funding, nor take advertisements, we are asking for your generosity as the year winds down to help us continue keeping the information flowing into 2024. 

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Infographic: A Closer Look at DC Homicides and Violence Interruption Programs

The infographic shows homicides in DC over a two-year span beginning from June 11, 2019-June 11, 2021. There was about a 16% increase in homicides during that period.

The first graphic includes homicides by DC neighborhood, and how those homicides compare to violence interrupter locations.

The second graphic also indicates the sites of the violence interrupter programs that are run out of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), noting homicides in the city by year.

2021 Homicides Outpacing Previous Year, Data Shows

DC’s homicide count for 2020 was higher than it was in 2018, 2017 or 2016, according to D.C. Witness data. But so far, the homicide count for 2021 has outpaced the number of homicides reported at this same time last year.

Video by Andrea Keckley

Defense Challenges Accuracy of Phone Location Data in Murder Case

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt allowed testimony from a cellular analysis expert during a murder trial despite defense concerns of reliability on Dec. 9.

George Sutton, 46, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old John Coleman on May 1, 2023 on the 2000 block of M Street, NE. Coleman suffered from three gunshot wounds to his neck, knee, and thigh. 

Steven Kiersh, Sutton’s attorney, challenged the reliability of an expert witness the prosecution planned to call to testify during the trial. Judge Brandt held a Daubert hearing, without the jury present, to determine the admissibility of the expert’s testimony. 

At the Daubert hearing, the cellular expert testified–an FBI special agent with the Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST). The agent said he used timing advance evidence data, a type of digital forensics evidence provided by cellular networks. 

According to the agent, timing advance was not created for law enforcement to use, but for phone carriers to improve users’ experience. The agent explained that cell towers emit radio frequency to estimate how far a phone is from the tower.

The agent said he received T-Mobile records from the lead detective in the case, reviewed the data, and used software to create a map. Then, the agent ensured the records aligned with the tower list generated by T-Mobile. Finally, his report was peer reviewed to ensure accuracy. 

Judge Brandt asked how the agent determined the tower list was reliable and the agent said the list updated when changes occurred and he contacted T-Mobile if he had concerns. 

According to the agent, the data was reliable because cell networks relied on the information. Additionally, he said the FBI recovered people based on their last known connection to a cell tower. The agent said the FBI first used timing advance in 2009 to locate a missing child in Maryland and since then, law enforcement and the military frequently used the methodology. 

The method was limited, said the agent, because the data generated an arc with a device’s possible location but could not determine a specific location on the arc. However, overlapping arcs created more precision.

The agent testified during cross-examination by Kiersh that he was involved in the case since early August 2023, but did not know the number of towers in the area he reviewed. The agent told Kiersh he did not inquire if any changes in tower coverage occurred in the three months between the incident and his involvement. 

Kiersh asked if a drive test was conducted during the investigation, when someone is on foot with a radio scanner measuring the strength of the closest tower. The agent said there was no drive test in the case because the timing advance method was superior and provided narrower results. 

The agent told Kiersh there was no rate of error for timing advance because the measurement occurred with network activity. Kiersh asked if the method was perfect and the agent said not perfect but one of the best tools. The agent acknowledged a lack of human knowledge or understanding of the data and method could result in errors. 

After the agent testified, the prosecution argued they met the Daubert standard to qualify the agent’s expert as reliable. They said the agent received the records from the detective, reviewed them for abnormalities, and there was a peer review of his report. 

Kiersh disputed the reliability of the agent and said “I found his testimony troubling.” Kiersh argued the agent unilaterally decided to not conduct a drive test or determine if there were any changes in the cell towers. Kiersh asserted a drive test was the “gold standard” of CAST and the report did not indicate timing advance superseded the method. 

Additionally, Kiersh claimed there was a lack of specificity in the method and no rate of error which he asserted an expert was required to establish. The prosecution responded that the rate of error was encompassed in the science itself with the arc of possible locations. 

Judge Brandt found the prosecutors satisfied Daubert and allowed the agent to testify as a cellular analysis expert before the jury. The judge said both parties’ arguments ignored a key aspect of the agent’s testimony, that timing advance must be reliable or the networks would fail. 

Kiersh then argued to exclude the agent’s testimony because it would be more prejudicial than probative. Judge Brandt denied Kiersh’s request because there was nothing substantially prejudicial and it added to the identity of who prosecutor’s claim drove the suspect vehicle. 

After explaining his qualifications to the jury, the agent testified about his report on cell tower data collected in this case.

The prosecutors highlighted two addresses on various maps of cell tower connections. The first location was the address of the shooting, and the second location was labeled as “other.” The agent testified that was the only classification he was given and he was not aware of any relevance to the case. 

The first map showed tower connections to a phone prosecutors previously tied to Sutton before noon on the day of the shooting. Two towers near the incident address were highlighted with arcs of possible locations of the phone.

A zoomed in view was displayed of the tower closest to the incident with overlapping arcs less than a block away from the incident. 

The prosecution also showed a call record chart of Sutton’s phone and mentioned numbers he contacted around the time of the incident, but did not specify who they belonged to.

The agent noted there was a gap in cell tower data between 11:50 a. m. and 12 p. m. He said that while phones were always searching and connecting to towers, the providers do not always store everything.

Another page from the agent’s report was displayed with several new towers further away from the incident but near the “other” address, showing movement of the device.

A final map was displayed, with more than ten towers highlighted. The agent added a few arcs on the map to show the phone’s movement. The agent concluded the only way the phone could connect to all the towers in the time frame presented would be with a motor vehicle.

During cross-examination, Kiersh asked about the limitations of this type of data. The agent clarified that it was not an exact science, even with timing advance increasing accuracy. The arcs on the maps are a range of where the phone could be and the agent’s report noted “possible location” in his explanation.

The agent further clarified that phones don’t always connect to the closest tower if a further one offers a stronger connection. He concluded that, while cell tower data can’t pinpoint where a phone and its owner are, it can eliminate places it can’t be and suggest possible locations for it.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) lead detective for the case also resumed his testimony with cross-examination from Kiersh. Although the detective did not collect the shell casings from the scene, he confirmed the .45 and 9mm caliber casings could not originate from the same firearm without modification. 

The detective confirmed that throughout his interview at the police station, Sutton maintained he did not murder Coleman. 

The prosecution also called a litigation technology specialist with the United States Attorney Office (USAO) to testify about a video compilation he created for the case. The prosecutors played the eight minute long video of a car icon moving through a map with surveillance cameras showing the car at various locations. 

The trial is scheduled to resume on Dec. 10.

Detectives Discuss Shooter’s Identification, Physical Evidence at Trial 

Multiple detectives testified regarding a shooting investigation in a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on Dec. 10. 

Nikia Cunningham, 31, and Bernard Vance, 31, are charged with robbery while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, second degree cruelty to children, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home/business, and unlawful possession of ammunition. This stems from their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 300 block of Franklin Street, NE, on March 28, 2023. One individual sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.

Cunningham is additionally charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possession of an unregistered firearm, as prosecutors claim she was the shooter.

Vance is additionally charged with another count of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home/business and tampering with physical evidence. 

The lead detective for the case was called to testify, stating that he responded to the scene after the first responders, and knew he was responding to a shooting incident. 

According to the detective, a witness identified the male suspect as “Slugga Bernard,” who he also called Tavyon Simms, during a confirmation photo identification, telling officers he had met Vance eight years prior, when they were both unhoused individuals.

“Him and his wife robbed, stole and shot my roommate,” the witness wrote on the identification document. He also identified Cunningham as the other suspect through a photo array, where he stated the sixth individual was the shooter. The image in spot six for the procedure was Cunningham, according to the detective. 

“She shot my friend while she had her baby in her hands,” the witness wrote on the paperwork. 

Due to time constraints, the detective was unable to conclude his testimony. 

Another Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that he located a black Mercedes in a parking garage on the 1500 block of Harris Thomas Way, NE, after the victim identified it as the suspect vehicle. 

Body-worn camera footage showed the vehicle with a still-warm engine and temporary Maryland tags. The detective said officers found a blanket inside a trash can containing two guns. The blanket and firearms were entered into evidence. On cross-examination, the detective testified he did not see who drove or exited the vehicle.

Another MPD detective testified that surveillance footage captured a suspect discarding firearms. He also responded to a barricade situation on the 1500 block of Harris Thomas Way, NE, reportedly involving the defendants and a child who was later taken into protective services. 

Investigators executed a search warrant on the defendants’ residence, where they says they recovered mail addressed to both defendants and their child, firearm accessories, and a firearm stock. Photographs and body-worn camera stills from the search were admitted.

An MPD patrol officer testified that when she arrived at the scene, the victim was bent over on the ground while a witness was “extremely frantic and distraught.” Body-worn camera footage showed the witness screaming that the victim had been “shot in the face” and that the suspects fled in a “black Benz.” The officer said the witness appeared to be under the influence of drugs and repeatedly claimed the suspects had “two guns.” A Glock case was recovered inside the apartment, with serial number BUPG496, which matched a gun recovered from the trash can in the lobby of the defendants’ apartment.

During the hearing, defense counsel moved for a mistrial after expressing concern that some jurors may have seen the defendants in restraints. Judge Park individually questioned all 16 jurors, each of whom reported seeing nothing prejudicial. The motion was denied.

Parties are slated to reconvene Dec. 11. 

Domestic Stabbing Defendant Conditionally Released

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum released a defendant accused of a domestic violence related stabbing after she waived her right to a preliminary hearing on Nov. 25. 

Bianca Osborn, 35, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Nov. 21 on the 1100 block of Dahlia Street, NW. The victim sustained two lacerations to his hand and lip.

According to court documents, Osborn and the victim were reportedly in a relationship for about five years and had a child together. The day of the incident, Osborn allegedly accused the victim of cheating on her, punched him, then stabbed him with a knife.

At the hearing, Peter Odom, Osborn’s attorney, informed parties his client intended to waive her right to a preliminary hearing, which would have determined if probable cause existed for the charges against her. Judge Hildum accepted Odom’s waiver as knowing and voluntary, and parties presented arguments regarding Osborn’s release pending trial.

Odom requested Judge Hildum release Osborn as she was the primary caregiver for her three young children, earned her high school diploma, was steadily employed since she graduated, and had no prior convictions. Additionally, Odom noted the significant family support Osborn had in the courtroom. 

The prosecutor requested Osborn remain detained at the DC Jail. They described the incident as “gruesome” because of the long laceration to the victim’s hand that bled heavily and required treatment at Howard University Hospital.

If released, the prosecutor requested Judge Hildum require Osborn to stay-away from the victim and incident address. Odom opposed the prosecutor’s request because Osborn was the leaseholder and resided at the incident address.

Odom claimed Osborn financially provided for the victim and he lived at her apartment when the incident occurred. Osborn was on the lease, not the victim, and she should not be required to stay-away from her apartment, asserted Odom. 

Although Judge Hildum described the case as “extremely distressing” with strong evidence against Osborn, he determined there were conditions of her release that could ensure the safety of the community. The judge based his decision on the circumstances described by Odom. 

Judge Hildum released Osborn on her own personal recognizance but required she stay-away from the victim and not contact him under any circumstances. The judge also ordered a mental health assessment for Osborn and asked her to comply with any recommendations from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Jan. 27, 2026 before DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel. 

Carjackers Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced two co-defendants under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) on Nov. 21, and amended one’s sentence on Dec. 9. 

On Aug. 19, Kendall Joiner, 21, and Daniel Aligbasia, 19, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a firearm for their involvement in a carjacking on May 30, 2024 on the 2000 block of Savannah Street, SE. 

According to court documents, the victim reported that Aligbasia asked him for a ride and, once they reached the victim’s vehicle, displayed a firearm, demanded the victim’s phone while Joiner allegedly approached the vehicle and threatened the victim, before getting in. The defendants drove away from the scene.

On Nov. 21, the prosecution argued that both defendants posed risks to the community. For Joiner, prosecutors said he has reoffended on multiple occasions and recommended a 48-month sentence. 

For Aligbasia, prosecutors noted he committed the offense while on probation in a previous case and opposed sentencing him under the YRA, which allows a young defendant’s conviction to be sealed if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements.

During the hearing, Joiner’s attorney, Sellano Simmons, emphasized that the encounter lasted approximately 20 minutes and was not premeditated. Simmons highlighted Joiner’s remorse and plans to enroll in trade school. 

In a statement to the court, Joiner explained he experienced significant losses following his arrest, including the death of his father four days after he was taken into custody. He said he missed the funeral, his son’s first birthday, and the birth of his daughter, adding that he has been participating in programs focused on self-growth.

Aligbasia’s defense counsel, Jamison Koehler, asked the court to impose a YRA sentence, emphasizing his apology, remorse, and willingness to participate in treatment. Koehler argued that Aligbasia is capable of rehabilitation and would benefit from the YRA’s structure.

Judge Di Toro sentenced both defendants under the YRA.

Aligbasia was sentenced to 24 months for robbery and 48 months for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, to run concurrently. His sentence includes five years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, and credit for time served.

Joiner originally received a sentence of 36 months of confinement, followed by five years of supervised release, and community service. Prosecutors noted that a separate pending felony case will be dismissed under the plea agreement.

However, the prosecution later alerted the judge that the sentence imposed for Joiner went against their 11c1c plea deal, which is a binding deal that requires the judge to sentence a defendant to a specific sentence or within a sentencing range. 

The prosecution argued that the 36 month sentence for Joiner went against their agreement, because Judge Di Toro had imposed a sentence that was lower than the minimum requirement based on Joiner’s criminal history score. 

During the Dec. 9 hearing, Simmons argued that because Judge Di Toro sentenced Joiner under the YRA, she could deviate from the sentencing guidelines. However, the prosecution disagreed. 

Judge Di Toro stated that the 11c1c rule prevailed to the court, and she amended Joiner’s sentence to be 48 months. 

No further court dates were set.

Defendant Accepts Plea Deal For Stabbing With Folding Knife

A defendant accepted a plea deal for stabbing a victim with a folding knife before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Dec. 8. 

Dennis Christie, 49, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to commit robbery while armed for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on April 22, 2024 on the 4800 block of F Street, SE. The victim suffered a stab wound to his abdomen.

Lauckland Nicholas, Christie’s attorney, informed Judge Di Toro that Christie accepted a deal from the prosecution, which required him to plead guilty to assault with significant bodily injury and possession of a prohibited weapon. The prosecutor, in exchange, dismissed any greater and remaining charges and would not seek an indictment regarding the facts of the case.

The prosecutor said if the case proceeded to trial, they would have proved Christie knew the victim from prior interactions and approached him on the street on the day of the incident. They engaged in a verbal argument, Christie retrieved a folding knife from his pocket, stabbed the victim, and ran away. There was no legal justification for Christie’s actions and he was aware of the risk of significant bodily harm he caused. 

According to the prosecutor, Christie stabbed the victim in the muscle surrounding his rib cage which required surgery and overnight hospital care. 

Judge Di Toro determined there was a factual basis and accepted the plea as knowing and voluntary. 

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for sentencing on Feb. 19, 2026.

Lead Homicide Detective Case Testifies in Trial

The lead detective for a homicide case testified about evidence collected during the defendant’s trial before DC Superior Court Rainey Brandt on Dec. 8.

George Sutton, 46, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old John Coleman in the 2000 block of M Street, NE, on May 1, 2023.

Prosecutors called the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on this case who stated that ten shell casings were recovered, one nine millimeter casing and the rest .45 caliber casings. He stated that the nine millimeter casing was not in the same area and looked weathered compared to the 45 caliber casings.

Additionally, the detective stated that a search warrant was executed for the defendant’s home in the presence of Sutton and his girlfriend in which an Infiniti M35 with tinted windows was recovered.

Eventually, the detective observed a 2006 light gold Infiniti M35. Noting that it was similar to another suspect vehicle, he detective reviweed more footage to see where the gold Infiniti came from and allegedly discovered a connection between the vehicle and Coleman. 

Prosecutors played a clip of the interaction from surveillance footage facing 21st Street at 11:47 a. m. According to the detective, Coleman can be seen wearing a yellow vest. The footage appeared to show the Infiniti passing Coleman and Coleman throwing an object in the direction of the vehicle.

The prosecution continued to present surveillance footage tracking the Infiniti and Coleman on a bike. Between different clips, the detective pointed to locations on a map the prosecution presented where the surveillance cameras were located. 

The prosecution also showed footage of an interview between two detectives, including the lead, and Sutton. Throughout the interview, Sutton was asked about the victim, his car, and the area. Sutton claimed to know Coleman, but not well, and confirmed the gold Infiniti was his car.

In the interview, Sutton claimed he knew about the shooting, but only because his family called him to make sure he was okay. He said he was not in the area and never heard gunshots. However, in other parts of the interview, he allegedly claimed to have been half a block away. The detectives showed him several pictures from surveillance cameras that showed his car circling the block near the incident. They also showed a person identified as Coleman throwing something.

Sutton also claimed he never returned to the neighborhood in some clips, but his car could be seen in the area in surveillance footage. When detectives asked Sutton if he returned home, he did not deny it. He repeatedly claimed nothing happened between him and Coleman and that he was not near the shooting. He said “Nobody knows who shot him” during the interview.

The detectives told Sutton “There’s a thousand cameras out there,” and that people claimed the shots came from Sutton’s car. Sutton continued to deny, and also assured no one else was in his car.

At the end of the interview, the detectives told Sutton he was not being charged for the incident, but he was later arrested under those charges.

The detective was unable to conclude his testimony due to time constraints. 

Parties are scheduled to reconvene Dec. 9.

Carjacking Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing, Gets Mental Eval

A carjacking defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Dec. 9, and was ordered to receive a full forensic evaluation of his mental state. 

Demetrius Johnson, 27, is charged with armed carjacking for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on Nov. 4 on the 3700 block of Hayes Street, NE. 

During the hearing, Russell Hairston, Johnson’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to waive his right to a preliminary hearing. 

The prosecution requested that Johnson be required to participate in drug testing and treatment and be monitored by GPS during his release. Johnson has been on release since Nov. 20 after he was originally found mentally competent to stand trial, meaning he understands the charges and can help his attorney defend the case.

According to the prosecution, the offense is “very disturbing.” The prosecution stated their theory is that Johnson allegedly approached the victim’s vehicle and pulled on the door handle, which caused the victim to get out of his car and confront Johnson. 

The prosecution said that as the victim struggled with Johnson, the defendant allegedly pepper sprayed the victim and physically fought him, dragging him as his car rolled down the street. Johnson allegedly gained control of the vehicle, drove off and allegedly crashed the vehicle in Maryland, where he was apprehended. 

The victim sustained minor injuries during the incident, according to the prosecutor. 

The prosecution insisted they “need to make sure he is where he needs to be,” and should have the ability to track any other offense he may commit. 

Hairston disagreed, stating that since his release, Johnson has been fully compliant with his conditions. According to Hairston, Johnson has ample community support, including his mom and a mental health specialist who were both present at the hearing. 

Hairston also told Judge Di Toro that Johnson’s mom had filed a petition to become Johnson’s legal guardian as he navigates release. 

Hairston argued that drug testing and GPS monitoring are unnecessary at this point, but that a full forensic evaluation may be needed to ensure the parties are fully aware of Johnson’s mental wellbeing. 

According to Hairston, Johnson “deals with great anxiety.”

Judge Di Toro stated she’d issue an order for Johnson to undergo a forensic examination. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on Jan. 21.

Stabbing Defendant’s Case Closed

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro dismissed the case against a defendant charged in connection to a 2023 stabbing during a status hearing on Dec. 3.

Catherine Rondeau, 52, was charged with conspiracy, assault with intent to commit robbery, and second-degree theft for her alleged involvement in a July 18, 2023 stabbing near the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE. 

Her case was linked to co-defendant Kevin Allen, 37, who faces separate robbery and assault charges in related matters. 

During a Feb. 10 hearing, both defendants told the court they did not know each other and claimed the allegations were based on false information. Allen later entered a guilty plea in one of his pending cases under a global agreement. In court previously, it was agreed that the matter involving Rondeau would also be dismissed as part of that plea.

At the Dec. 3 hearing, the prosecutor informed the court that the prosecution would be dismissing Rondeau’s case. 

Before making the request, the prosecutor briefly conferred with defense attorney Elizabeth Paige White, who remarked that the prosecutorial team “does not have their act together.” 

Judge Di Toro granted the request, dismissing all three charges. Rondeau had been on pretrial release under the supervision of the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Allen’s case continues separately and he is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on Jan. 9, 2026.

The case against Rondeau is now closed.

Road Rage Shooting Defendant Again Denied Release

A shooting defendant’s motion for release was denied for the third time by DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Dec. 8.

Marcus Reavenell, 48, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting at the intersection of Foote and 58th Streets, NE, on May 14. 

According to court documents, the conflict began as a road rage incident that later resulted in Reavenell allegedly following the victim’s vehicle from his own and shooting towards the victim.

Reavenell’s defense attorney, Claudine Harrison, told Judge Edelman that she had filed a motion for bond review on Dec. 3. 

The motion stressed that Reavenell and his spouse have two children with special needs, and require his care. Harrison told Judge Edelman that given the nature of the incident, Reavenell was willing to stay off the roads as an additional condition of his release. 

The prosecution opposed the request, highlighting that Reavenell has a longstanding history she called a “trifecta”, including violent offenses, gun offenses, and threats.

Judge Edelman agreed that Reavenell’s criminal history was too serous to be granted release, and denied the defense’s motion. 

Reavenell’s past defense attorney, Lisbeth Saperstein, previously argued for his release before Judge Arthur on Sept. 3 and Aug. 5 to no avail. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on Jan. 28.

Shooting Defendant With Priors Denied Release

A defense counsel’s motion for a shooting defendant’s bond review was denied before DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on Dec. 3.

Hakim Johnson, 35, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, on April 5. One individual sustained injuries.

Prior to the hearing William Howell, Johnson’s attorney, filed a motion for bond review but the prosecution opposed this motion.

They argued that there has been no new information to prove he’d be a good candidate for release, and Johnson is alleged to have used a firearm. The prosecutors stated that Johnson’s criminal history is substantial and he was aware he wasn’t allowed to possess a firearm.

Prosecutors also noted that an identification of Johnson was made by someone who had been in a prior relationship with him.

Howell argued that there has been no identification by anyone who was present at the shooting, as the one who made the identification did so from a photo. He argued that the weight of the evidence is not strong.

Regarding Johnson’s criminal history, Howell stated that his prior convictions, although they’re serious offenses, are more than ten years old. He also noted Johnson’s ability to comply with release conditions based on probation from a separate incident.

Howell stated that the court could impose conditions of release that will ensure the safety of the community.

Judge McLean denied the defense’s motion as the presumption of dangerousness had not been rebutted, Johnson remains held.

Prosecutors noted that a global plea offer remains open until Dec. 19. The terms were not stated for the record.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Dec. 22.

Document: MPD Arrests Second Suspect in Fatal Shooting in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a second suspect in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on June 30, 2024 on the 700 block of Missouri Avenue, NW. The victim, identified as 18-year-old Raymond Washington, was found with gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead. Byron Sneed, 40, was previously arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed. On Dec. 8, Treshawn Herndon, 18, was also arrested and charged with the same offense.

Judge Grants Shooting Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss Case For Suppressed Evidence

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan granted a shooting defendant’s motion to dismiss his case on Dec. 8, after the prosecution failed to meet multiple deadlines. 

Anthony Goncalves, 53, was charged with assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, aggravated assault knowingly while armed against a minor, two counts of possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict for his alleged involvement in a shooting on Nov. 29, 2023 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. A 14-year-old boy sustained nine gunshot wounds. 

James Brockway, Goncalves’ attorney, originally filed a motion on Sept. 11 to suppress tangible evidence, which he claimed was illegally obtained by the prosecution. According to Brockway, the evidence was acquired from electronic monitoring of Goncalves by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) at the time of the shooting. 

Brockway argued that CSOSA ordered Goncalves to wear a GPS monitor without legal authority, and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) used GPS data from CSOSA to designate him a suspect in the incident. 

Judge Ryan had allowed the prosecution to submit a written response by Sept. 26, and further granted them an extension for Nov. 10. 

On Nov. 26, Brockway filed an additional request to treat the motion to suppress evidence as conceded by the prosecution, insisting that the motion to suppress is “a terminal motion,” which the prosecution failed to respond to in a timely manner. Therefore, “Goncalves further respectfully requests that the case be dismissed for want of prosecution,” Brockway argued.

During the Dec. 8 hearing, the prosecution alerted Judge Ryan that due to the suppression issue, the prosecution would not have sufficient evidence to proceed with the case, despite knowing that Goncalves “factually shot a child nine times in the back.”

The prosecution filed a motion to dismiss the case without prejudice, which would allow them to reopen the case if they are able to produce admissible evidence. However, Brockway argued it should be dismissed with prejudice. 

Judge Ryan agreed with the parties, and dismissed the case without prejudice.

Judge Ryan ordered Goncalves be released from the DC Jail. 

No further dates were set. 

Prosecution’s Handling of DNA Evidence Imperils December Trial Date  

A motion before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Dec. 1 to exclude DNA evidence obtained by prosecutors could delay a homicide defendant’s trial for the fourth time.  

Joseph Smith, 67, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of his 62-year-old brother, Arnold Smith, in their family home on the 600 block of Galveston Place, SE on April 9, 2019. 

Critically, Judge Edelman must rule whether more DNA evidence legally obtained by prosecutors after the fact may enter the trial, given that prosecutors knew the results of the first, illegal DNA testing. 

In a November 25 hearing, defense attory, Joseph Yarbough, played body-worn-camera footage showing that Smith told a detective he would allow the detective to swab his cheeks for evidence only if his brother were alive. The detective led Smith to believe that his brother was still alive, though he had been pronounced dead at the hospital nearly two hours earlier.

Judge Edelman told parties during the Nov. 25 hearing that he would rule on the issue before the next hearing, though prosecutors got a warrant for new DNA evidence and re-ran the tests ahead of Edelman’s decision to exclude the original DNA results. 

During the Dec. 1 hearing, Yarbough argued that though the prosecution had used legal methods to re-obtain Smith’s DNA, their intention in seeking the warrant was inherently tainted by their knowledge of the results in the first test and thus could not be entered into evidence. 

“It would be beyond a leap of faith to say that nothing they learned affected their decision to seek a warrant,” Yarbough said. 

He pointed to the lengths that prosecutors went to quickly re-test Smith’s DNA, which cost $10,000 and required them to fly in an expert witness from Africa to present the results to the jury, according to Yarbough. 

Prosecutors argued that it is standard practice to present DNA evidence to the jury regardless of  whether it implicates the defendant because juries like to see that the prosecution pursued all leads. They also said that proving a counterfactual — that their knowledge of the first test did not affect their decision to seek a warrant for the second test — was extremely difficult.

Prosecutors pointed to examples of phone searches, where information is often obtained through successive warrants and said that the reason for the outsize expense in this case was out of concern for maintaining the Dec. 1 trial date. 

“The reason for the cost and the quick turnaround was to preserve our trial date,” a prosecutor said. 

Judge Edelman said that he would give a ruling on the matter on Dec. 10, when the parties reconvene. 

If Judge Edelman overrules the defense motion to suppress the evidence, then that may further delay the trial so that Yarbough and Bunke can have their own expert review the results of the new test. 

Yarbough said that he felt ethically and constitutionally bound to review the results but that it could be possible to review them quickly. 

“There’s a world in which this doesn’t take super long,” Yarbough said. 

Yarbough and Bunke also filed a motion to sanction the prosecution for their failure to preserve body-worn camera footage from the crime scene, Smith’s home, while a search warrant was executed. According to Yarbough, the officer mislabeled the footage and failed to classify it as related to a murder, leading to its premature deletion.

Yarbough contended that because the officer would have been at the crime scene at the same time as several key witnesses and could have talked to them, the negligence around the handling of his body camera could have resulted in a major violation of the prosecution’s requirement to share statements made by witnesses with the defense. 

If it comes out that the witnesses did talk to the officer, they could be barred from testifying in the trial. 

Judge Edelman agreed to Yarbough’s request that the matter be investigated and asked the prosecution to bring the witnesses and the officer to the next hearing so that they could testify under oath about any statements that may have passed between them. 

In a separate motion about one of the witnesses, Smith’s sister, Bunke successfully petitioned the court to appoint her an attorney, arguing that there were legitimate concerns that she could incriminate herself while testifying. 

Prosecutors argued that she did not need a lawyer because the statute of limitations for her potential criminal behavior, falsifying documents related to the defendant, had passed. 

Judge Edelman decided to have a lawyer appointed to her. 

“I do think it’s appropriate for her to have counsel on this,” Judge Edelman said. 

Prior to the conclusion of the hearing, parties also settled on an issue about whether to redact a dish cloth from a picture of the knife used in the murder. The image depicts the knife in the sink next to a dishcloth with reddish brown stains. 

Bunke argued that the dish cloth was never tested for the presence of blood and said that the stains could have come from something else. 

“The government has wrongfully speculated about other stains in the house,” Bunke said. 

Judge Edelman met both parties half-way. He did not require prosecutors to edit the dishcloth out of the picture but instructed them not to speculate before the jury about what Smith may have done with the dishcloth. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Dec. 10. 

Three Witnesses Testify Against Defendant in Murder Trial  

Three witnesses testified against the defendant in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Dec. 3.

George Sutton, 46, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of John Coleman, 34, on May 1, 2023, on the 2000 block of M Street, NE. 

A forensic service manager of ShotSpotter technology, which records the audio of gunshots, testified that data retrieved from sensors in the area of the incident from May 1, 2023 recorded 10 gunshots. The audio was played in court.

A DNA expert testified that eight firearm cartridges were tested for DNA by their lab. They testified that the results came back as having either insufficient DNA or as having inconclusive results. Two of the cartridges did not have enough DNA to run identifying testing but the expert determined that the DNA present was likely a mixture of two people’s DNA. 

During cross examination from defense attorney Steven Kiersh, the DNA expert explained that the first round of testing failed but that they were confident that every procedure was done correctly.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) lieutenant testified that Sutton’s car was allegedly captured by license plate reader cameras. The photo was entered into evidence by the prosecution. It is unclear where or when the camera captured the vehicle. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Dec 8. 

Judge Says Defendant in ‘Brutal’ Stabbing Stays Jailed

A stabbing defendant was denied release by DC Superior Court Eric Glover on Dec. 2, after she allegedly confessed to two police officers.

Cheyenne Brewington, 33, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on the 1500 block of Young Street, SE on Nov. 28. 

Brewington, visibly emotional upon entering the courtroom, appeared to be crying and sniffing before proceeding with her case. Defense attorney Lauckland Nicholas alerted the court of her intent to waive her right to a preliminary hearing, and requested that Brewington be released.

Nicholas noted that Brewington had suffered injuries herself, specifically to her left hand, and argued that she had family support nearby. He pointed out that Brewington’s sister was present in the courtroom and that the defendant lives far from the victim. 

Nicholas also emphasized that Brewington had a history of attending court hearings in her previous cases and expressed her willingness to abide by any conditions set by the court, including supervision by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). 

The prosecution opposed the request for release, arguing for a continued hold. They described the stabbing as “brutal” and “violent,” noting that Brewington had allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times. The prosecutor also referenced Brewington’s criminal record, which includes two prior misdemeanor cases and one pending assault charge. 

The prosecution argued that the nature of the crime and the defendant’s history made it impossible to ensure the safety of the community if Brewington were released. The prosecution also highlighted that Brewington had admitted to her involvement in the stabbing to two police officers. The knife used in the assault was reportedly found in her purse. 

According to court documents, Brewington told officers she committed the stabbing because the victim would not allow her daughter to leave an apartment. 

The prosecution pointed out that Brewington’s actions represented an “escalation of negative behavior”. 

Judge Glover sided with the prosecution, ordering to continue Brewington’s detention. He cited the serious nature of the offense, the multiple witnesses, including family members, and the fact that Brewington had admitted her involvement. The judge also referenced the knife found in her possession as significant evidence. 

Glover told Brewington that “history is working against her,” referring to her prior legal issues and the escalation of violent behavior in this case. The judge concluded that the presumption of detention had not been rebutted, given the circumstances of the case. 

The parties are slated to reconvene on Dec. 16.