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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. 

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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. 

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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

Judge Grants Mistrial in Fatal Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman granted the defense’s request for mistrial in a homicide case on Feb. 13, due to lead counsel’s unavailability mid-trial because of a personal emergency.

Jakiem Miller, 27, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with prior crime of violence, and obstructing justice for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Avon Perkins, 30, on the 2400 block of 18th Street, NW, on Dec. 17, 2022. 

On Feb. 9, during the fourth day of the trial, Judge Edelman informed parties and jurors that the trial would be delayed due to a personal emergency for lead defense attorney Steven Kiersh.

On Feb. 12, defense attorney Megan Allburn filed a motion for mistrial. Allburn argued that moving forward with the trial would deprive Miller of his lead counsel with whom he has built a lengthy relationship. Allburn clarified to Judge Edelman that she has only known the defendant since November of 2025. 

That same day, the prosecution filed an opposition to the motion. They argued that a mistrial would impose further burdens on the prosecution, witnesses, victims, and Perkins’ family. The prosecution emphasized that 21 witnesses have already taken the time to testify, and some of them had to travel to do so.

They further argued that Miller has competent counsel in Allburn, who is an established homicide trial attorney, and could conclude the trial. 

Prior to making his decision, Judge Edelman noted an aspect of this case that makes it unique from other mistrial cases is that Miller had previously raised concerns about his counsel not aligning with his goals. 

During an inquiry to discuss the issue in 2025, Judge Edelman told the defendant that there are not many attorneys with the same level of experience and expertise as Kiersh. Miller decided to withdraw his motion to change counsel, and told Judge Edelman it was because of what was said during the inquiry. 

Due to the nature of Miller’s relationship with his lead counsel, Judge Edelman determined that it would not be fair to continue the trial with a replacement counsel. 

Judge Edelman told the court that Miller is not an object attorneys can just pass around, rather he is a person with significant interest in the case and has to continue to play a role in his own defense. 

He granted the motion for mistrial.

Parties are slated to reconvene May 6.

Judge Scolds Teen Carjacking Defendant Following Release Noncompliance

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean admonished an armed carjacking defendant to improve his compliance with release conditions on Feb. 13. 

Richard Bates, 19, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, armed carjacking, robbery while armed, and three counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a carjacking on Sept. 13, 2023 on the 1600 block of Frankford Street, SE.

Judge McLean said she saw few curfew violations and asked the defense to provide an explanation. 

Bates’ defense attorney, Madhuri Swarna, said his family is currently unhoused resulting in missed curfews because he was staying at a family friend’s house to keep warm. 

Judge McLean also noted that Bates went to a tobacco store around midnight on Feb. 3. Swarna said the store sells food alongside cigarettes and drugs. The reason was was Bates was hungry and went to the closest food store near him. 

A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) said that Bates has not reported for mental health screening from Dec. 8 to Feb. 2, making him a lost contact. Bates was recently placed with a caseworker to begin a drug program. 

Christen Philips, Bates’ other attorney, said he was still meeting with a social worker and therapist that provided substance abuse counseling. 

Judge McLean raised concerns about Bates’ attendance at Youth Build, an educational program to re-engage his learning, since he only participated a few times. Philips said that Bates’ family lives very far from Youth Build and must take two connecting buses to get there. 

Judge McLean said the only reason why she won’t detain Bates is because he has not reoffended. According to Judge McLean, it doesn’t seem like Bates is putting in effort, and she demanded better results, especially with his trial approaching. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 10.

Judge Denies Shooting Defendant’s Release For Victim’s Changing Statements

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean denied a shooting defendant’s motion for release on Feb. 13. 

Anthony McKoy, 33, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a domestic violence related shooting on the 5000 block of E Street, NW on Jan. 1. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, McKoy and the victim were reportedly involved romantically on-and-off for nine years prior to the incident. 

At the hearing, McKoy’s attorney, Antoini Jones, asked Judge McLean to reconsider releasing his client. Jones said the victim changed her story about what she witnessed during the incident hours after she first spoke with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers.

The prosecutor opposed McKoy’s release and raised concerns about jail messages and call logs that show frequent communication between McKoy and the victim. They claimed this called the honesty of the victim’s recantation into question. 

Judge McLean agreed with the prosecution and also expressed concern with the reliability of the victim’s testimony. Therefore, the judge denied the motion to reconsider McKoy’s release. 

The prosecutor also requested that Judge McLean issue a stay-away order from the victim, which was granted. 

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 17.

Judge Orders Full Mental Exam for Stabbing Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean ordered a full mental examination for a stabbing defendant on Feb. 19 after reviewing a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).

Sarita Middleton, 45, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 1700 block of Columbia Road, NW, on Feb. 11. 

According to court documents, the incident occurred while Middleton waited for food at a restaurant. An employee sustained minor lacerations to their arm. 

The records say, an order for a preliminary screening to determine Middleton’s competency was filed on Feb 13.

During the hearing, Middleton’s presence was waived due to a delay at the DC Jail. Judge McLean determined that the defendant was deemed mentally incompetent by DBH, and ordered a full mental examination be done at the jail. To stand trial a defendant must understand the charges and help in his defense.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 1.

Fatal Stabbing Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Feb. 13. 

Donald Shields, 47, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and possession of a prohibited weapon for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 36-year-old Dominique Ratiff at the intersection of Dupont Circle and the 1900 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW on Dec. 30, 2024.

The court formally arraigned Shields on the indictment charges against him and his attorney, Bernadette Armand, entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. Armand asserted Shields’ right to a jury trial. 

Armand also asked to remove Shields from his GPS monitoring, a condition of his release. Judge Kravitz instructed Armand to file a written motion for prosecutors’ response. 

Parties are set to reconvene on April 24. 

DNA Evidence Missing in Shooting Case

D.C. Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz heard testimony from the prosecution about lost DNA evidence in a shooting case involving two suspects on Feb. 13. 

Eric Latney, 29,  and James Crossland, 29, are both being charged with one count of assault with intent to kill, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime. All charges stem from their alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting that occurred on the 200 block of 56th Street, NE and the 5600 block of Blaine Street, NE on July 8, 2021. 

Crossland’s defense attorney, Hannah Claudio, said  the prosecution had lost evidence of Crossland’s DNA. Claudio asked for the DNA to be sent over so that the defense can conduct their own testing. 

 The prosecution responded that the DNA evidence was returned to the office after testing and delivered to the third floor. The evidence was then left by a  previous prosecutor who was away at the time and has not returned.

Judge Kravitz asked the defense what they wished to do at this time, due to the DNA evidence being lost. 

Claudio responded with the intent to file a motion of dismissal on grounds of failure to preserve evidence by the prosecution. Nikki Lotze, Latney’s defense attorney, responded similarly, with the intent to file a motion in their case due to loss of evidence. Lotze intended to use Crossland’s DNA as evidence in their case. 

Judge Kravitz asked the prosecution to clarify how the evidence got lost. 

The prosecutors stated they have searched the entire third floor and all designated offices, but the DNA remains missing. Despite being unable to find the evidence, the prosecution insisted the DNA is somewhere on the third floor. 

Lotze, also filed a motion to sever his case from Crossland. The defense attorney said she would call Crossland as a witness. 

Judge Kravitz responded to the motion by clarifying he will need to examine the scope of Crossland’s testimony before deciding on the motion.

Judge Kravitz set up briefing dates for motions to be filed in the case. Defense must file motions by March 20, and the prosecution has until April 17 to respond. 

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for an update on May 1.

Prosecution Charges a Stabbing Defendant, Despite Assault Acquittal 

Prosecutors alerted DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz that they plan to move forward with a defendant’s charges on Feb. 13, despite a jury acquitting the defendant of all other charges.

Malik Seltzer, 30, is charged with assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the 3900 block of 1st Street, SE on Sept.15, 2021.

Prosecution argued that Seltzer allegedly stabbed the victim due to him believing the victim was an eyewitness witness to a murder allegedly committed by Seltzer on that same day.

Seltzer was tried on those charges and was acquitted of them by a jury on Jan. 22, 2026. 

Seltzer is currently serving a sentence for an unrelated case, and is expected to be released in April 2027. Defense attorneys Kevann Gardner and Bernadette Armand asked that the defendant be released from custody if his sentence is up in the previous case before the trial date for this case. 

Judge Kravitz denied the motion  for now as the defendant is still serving his sentence. Judge Kravitz asked defense attorneys to file a motion closer to Seltzer’s release date in 2027 if the trial, which is scheduled for June 2027, is still planned. 

Judge Kravitz asked the prosecution if the stabbing victim would still be in the jurisdiction for the trial date. The prosecutor responded by saying the complainant may leave before then to serve a sentence in the Bureau of Prisons (BoP), but will be able to return for the trial to testify if needed. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 14.

Judge Releases Stabbing Defendant For Mental Health Treatment Because, ‘I Believe Her’

A Judge said “I believe her,” as defendant stated she was receiving mental health treatment during her sentencing before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on Feb. 12.

On Oct. 17, 2025, Devyn Cyphers, 28, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for her involvement in a stabbing on July 31, 2025 on the 300 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. The victim, a close friend of Cyphers, sustained a puncture wound to her neck but survived the attack.

According to court documents, the victim allegedly received a phone call from Cyphers. The victim invited her over to her apartment thinking Cyphers was “in need” of a friend.

When the victim opened the door, Cyphers allegedly stabbed her in the neck and proceeded to threaten her with a gun. The victim managed to break away from Cyphers and ran to the bedroom where she and her boyfriend hid and called the police. 

In a victim impact statement read by the prosecution on Feb. 12, the victim recalled “crawling on the floor screaming at [Cyphers] not to shoot.” 

“Regardless of the lock and doors, I was the one who invited a friend in need over,” the victim wrote, “why did she show up and choose to hurt me?” 

Cyphers’ defense attorney, Peter Odom, argued that Cyphers had suffered a psychotic break at the time of the incident. He presented surveillance footage of Cyphers being taken away from the interview room, she resisted and was tackled to the ground by four officers. He noted her behavior in the footage was out of character for Cyphers, given her mental turmoil.

Odom brought forward Cyphers’ family to give statements on her character and advocate for her release. 

“My sister is a good person,” Cypher’s sister said, “what has already happened to her will punish her for the rest of her life.”

The prosecutor claimed there have been no recent reports of Cyphers’ compliance with medical treatment since Dec. 15, 2025. He was concerned for the safety of the community and validity of Cyphers’ attempt at recovery. 

At the time of the incident and immediately after, the prosecution said that Cyphers may not have been aware nor could she recollect what happened. However, now that she remembers, she must be held accountable.

It is not “about what is best for Devyn Cyphers” but what is “appropriate for this case,” the prosecution said when talking about Cyphers’ sentence. He requested the court confine Cyphers’ for 60 months. 

Judge Hertzfeld called the prosecution’s proposal solely “retribution.” 

“[The] only real reason for her to serve time is to punish her,” Judge Hertzfeld said.

In her statement to the court, Cyphers’ mother was upset by the possible confinement, believing that her daughter should not be punished for a medical emergency. 

“Psychosis happened to her, not by her,” Cyphers’ mother said. 

In an apology to the victim on behalf of the family, the mother said “I am so sorry she needed a medical bed, [but] I will never forgive myself for not knowing my daughter needed one too.” 

Cyphers was given the chance to speak about the incident and her actions since Dec. 15. “I still love her,” she said about the victim. “She would not want an apology but action,” Cyphers said about the victim. “She would want me to be a woman of action.” 

Cyphers asserted that she has been in treatment and “working everyday to understand” what happened. 

The prosecution continued to press that Cyphers may not be taking the prescribed anti-psychotics because of medical reports are lacking. 

Judge Hertzfeld pushed back, stating “I believe her.”

Judge Hertzfeld imposed a 30 months sentence, suspended, with three years of supervised release, suspended, and required Cyphers to be on supervised probation for two years, with requirements to undergo mental health treatment and stay away from the victim. 

Judge Hertzfeld noted the strong support from Cyphers’ family, who had been present throughout the proceedings as a reason to release Cyphers. 

“Your honor has saved her life,” Cyphers’ mother said. 

No further dates were set.

Judge Grants Defense Motion for Shooting Acquittal Over Alleged Witness Threat

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe granted a defense motion to acquit a defendant on his obstruction of justice charge related to a shooting on Feb. 13.

Dominick Jackson, 41, was convicted by a jury on Oct. 8, 2025 of obstruction of justice for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on Nov. 20, 2022, on the 700 block of 12th Street, NE. A victim sustained gunshot wounds to his right thigh.

On Dec. 31, 2025, Kevin Robertson, Jackson’s attorney filed a motion asking for acquittal for the obstruction of justice charge against Jackson. Robertson argued in the motion that the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof for this charge during the trial. 

According to the motion, the victim’s girlfriend, who was also reportedly romantically involved with Jackson, testified during the trial. Robertson wrote that prosecutors asked the victim, “Have you ever been threatened in relation to your involvement in this case?” 

Robertson argued in the motion that the terms “relation,”  “involvement,” and “case” were not defined by prosecutors or the victim during her testimony. Therefore, the charges should be dismissed because it was unclear if the statements were during the “official proceeding” of the case. 

At the hearing, Robertson asked when the alleged threat of the obstruction charge was made. Prosecutors did not respond.

Judge Pipe questioned whether or not the information about when the threat occurred was presented to the jury during the trial. The prosecutors responded that they were unsure if it was brought up before the jury.

Without evidence of when the threat originated or if it was clearly presented to the jury, Judge Pipe decided that she could not sentence Jackson for the crime.

Judge Pipe acquitted Jackson of the remaining charge without objection from prosecutors.

The case was dismissed and no further dates were set.

Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Offer Ahead of Trial

A shooting defendant rejected a plea offer during jury selection before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Feb. 18.

Gerald Day, 34, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and threatening to kidnap or injure a person for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman after a fight on Oct. 29, 2023, at the intersection of O Street and Carrollsburg Place, SW.

Day’s co-defendant, Paul Poston, 32, was sentenced on June 26, 2024, to two years of imprisonment, with all but 10 months suspended, for shooting at the same victim’s car after the altercation.

Prior to jury selection, the prosecutors said they extended a revised plea offer to Day that would require him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license. In exchange, the prosecution would drop all other charges in the case.

Day’s attorney, Steven Polin, said Day wanted to proceed to trial, formally rejecting the plea offer.

Parties completed jury selection and are set to reconvene to begin the trial on Feb. 19.

Murder Defendant Gets Sanity Evaluation For Criminal Responsibility

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman agreed on Feb. 17 to send a murder-by-arson defendant for a criminal responsibility mental examination. The evaluation could result in a possible plea of not guilty by insanity. 

D’Aundrey Scott, 31, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and arson for his alleged involvement in the burning of 62-year-old Darryl Finney, on May 13, 2020 on the 900 block of H Street, NE. On the same day, Scott was charged with assault with intent to kill and another count of arson in connection to his alleged involvement in the non-fatal burning of another victim on the 1300 block of H Street, NE. 

According to court documents, Scott allegedly carried out an arson spree from the hours of 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. During the attacks, Scott reportedly threw a burning T-shirt at one victim, who survived unharmed and threw a firebomb at Finney, who died from severe burns on May 15, 2020.

The attacks also allegedly included two house fires that investigators linked to Scott’s actions.

In a hearing on Feb. 17, Judge Edelman found Scott mentally competent to stand trial, meaning he understands the charges he faces and can work with his lawyer. However, he could still stage an insanity plea by claiming he didn’t know right from wrong, nor was able to abide by the law.

Prior to the hearing, Scott was placed in the Central Treatment Facility (CTF) of the DC Jail following mental competency restoration treatment at Saint Elizabeths Hospital for psychiatric patients.

Scott’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, requested a criminal responsibility examination and recommended that Scott be returned to CTF. 

The court agreed. 

Parties are slated to reconvene March 27.

Domestic Stabbing Defendant’s Case Dismissed

A stabbing defendant’s case was dismissed after prosecutors were not prepared to move forward in a preliminary hearing for a second time, before DC Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones on Feb. 17.

Lauren Dawkins, 24, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the 4200 block of Eads Street, NE on Dec. 10, 2025. The victim, identified as Dawkins’ fiance, sustained one stab wound.

Dawkins’ defense attorney, Anthony Dimillo, alerted the court that Dawkins intended to move forward with the preliminary hearing.

The prosecution told the court they were not ready to move forward with the hearing, prompting Dimillo to ask Judge Jones to dismiss the case. 

Judge Jones granted the dismissal of the case for want of prosecution, which means the prosecution failed to move forward with the case, but warned Dawkins that prosecutors could still seek indictment if desired. 

He ordered that Dawkins call Dimillo every other Tuesday and confirm her address with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) in case a letter of indictment was sent to her.

No further dates were scheduled.

Judge Sentences Co-Defendants For 2020 Near Fatal Shooting

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced two co-defendants at a hearing on Feb. 13 for their roles in a 2020 non-fatal shooting.

On Nov. 20, 2025, Daniel Cary, 31, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a July 22, 2020 shooting that injured a woman on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE. Likewise, Chantel Stewart, 34, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to assault with a dangerous weapon and was previously convicted of threatening to kidnap or injure in connection to the shooting. 

According to court documents, Stewart drove Cary to the scene. Judge Brandt noted that the victim said Stewart warned her “he’s about to shoot you” moments before the shooting occurred, allowing her to drive away. Cary exited a vehicle and fired multiple shots as she fled. The victim was struck in the back, crashed near a hospital entrance, and, despite bleeding heavily, managed to get inside for help. She underwent three surgeries. Stewart later failed to cooperate with police. 

The victim was unavailable to provide an impact statement to the court. 

Prosecutors asked for sentences at the top of the guidelines for both defendants. They argued Cary endangered not only the victim but the broader community by firing multiple shots in a residential area, and did not accept responsibility until after a jury trial on assault with intent to kill while armed ended in a hung jury. 

For Stewart, prosecutors pointed to her lack of cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) investigation after the shooting, alleging she lied about driving the vehicle, failed to contact police, and responded dismissively when contacted by the victim’s sister. They also recommended anger management classes based on her arrest history.

Stewart’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, urged the court to impose a sentence at the bottom of the guidelines. He argued Stewart faced a difficult choice in deciding whether to accept a plea that would send her and her ex-boyfriend to prison, while also dealing with the breakdown of a close friendship with the victim. He said she has changed since the incident and that the case had been prolonged by delays. Stewart told the court she felt bad for the situation and the strain it caused her family.

Cary’s defense attorney, Alvin Thomas, asked for the five-year mandatory minimum sentence to run concurrently. He said Cary had been in negotiations for a “wired” plea agreement for a long time but did not initially plead guilty because Stewart did not want to accept the deal. Wired plea agreements require all defendants to accept it in order for it to be valid. 

Thomas described Cary as quiet and remorseful, employed in construction, and living with his mother. He emphasized this was Cary’s first felony conviction. 

In a letter read by his attorney, Cary apologized to the victim and her family, writing that jail had changed him and that he now understands how one bad decision can drastically alter lives.

Judge Brandt said she did not interpret Cary’s reserved demeanor as a lack of remorse. While acknowledging that both defendants appeared to have experienced trauma, she emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the lasting impact on the victim. She reflected on the victim’s resilience in driving herself to the hospital after being shot.

Brandt sentenced Stewart to one year of incarceration, suspended, and three years of supervised release, suspended, with one year of probation for accessory after the fact, requiring completion of a conflict resolution class. On the threatening conviction, she imposed one year of incarceration, suspended, and three years of supervised release, suspended, with one year of probation, to run concurrently. Stewart must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund for each count.

Brandt sentenced Cary to nine years of imprisonment on the aggravated assault charge, followed by three years of supervised release, and five years on the firearm charge, followed by three years of supervised release, to run concurrently. He must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund for each count and register as a gun offender in DC upon release.

No further dates were set.

Judge Allows Carjacking Defendant to Attend Grandmother’s Funeral

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean granted a carjacking defendant on home confinement permission to attend his grandmother’s funeral at a hearing on Feb. 18. 

Kavon Johnson, 19, is charged with unarmed carjacking committed against a transportation provider, assault with intent to commit robbery committed against a transportation provider, strangulation, and threatening to kidnap or injure a person for his alleged involvement in an incident on Dec. 13, 2025 on the 4600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SW.

At the hearing, Johnson’s attorney, Janai Reed, requested a change in her client’s conditions of home confinement to allow him to attend his grandmother’s funeral in Maryland. 

Judge McLean asked that the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) confirm the funeral was in fact scheduled. Reed said she personally reached out to the funeral director to confirm the details of the funeral. 

The judge approved temporary modification to Johnson’s home confinement, allowing him to attend the funeral from 8 a. m- to-4 p. m. on Feb. 20. Apart from the funeral, Johnson will remain on home confinement. 

Additionally, Judge McLean said parties received a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) on Feb. 10 after she ordered Johnson undergo a mental competency evaluation on Jan. 7.. Judge Mclean ruled that Johnson was competent to stand trial in that he understands the proceedings and the case could proceed.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 1.

Jail Stabbing Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A defendant charged with a jail stabbing pleaded not guilty at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Feb. 13.

Deswon Franklin, 30, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a March 24, 2025 stabbing at the DC Jail, located on the 1900 block of D Street, SE.

According to court documents, correctional officers responded after a call reporting a stabbing inside the facility. The victim sustained multiple puncture wounds to his arms, chest, and elbow and was transported to Washington Hospital Center for treatment. Video footage reportedly captured Franklin approach the victim and stab him with a sharpened piece of metal wrapped in cloth.

At the hearing, the courtroom clerk arraigned Franklin on the indictment charges against him. Defense attorney Brandon Burrell entered a not guilty plea on Franklin’s behalf and requested evidence related to the case.

Burrell, who was recently appointed to the case on Nov. 18, 2025, asked for additional time to prepare for the trial scheduled to begin on Feb. 24. The prosecution objected, arguing they were prepared to proceed and that although the charges had changed, the underlying facts remained the same.

Judge Brandt ultimately agreed the defense needed more time and parties rescheduled the trial for June 22. 

During the hearing, Judge Brandt also noted that Franklin previously declined a plea offer and parties said they would continue discussing a potential resolution ahead of trial.

Parties are slated to reconvene May 28.