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Lavonne Beckett ordered held without bail

The man charged with killing his female passenger after he crashed his car was ordered held without bail.

Lavonne Beckett allegedly killed a woman, who has yet to be identified, when he drove his car into a pole causing her to die on impact. He is charged with second-degree murder.

He appeared in court for an arraignment, with a walker to help him with injuries sustained during the crash. His attorney requested that he be released on his promise that he would appear for his next court appearance.

The government requested that he be detained.

His attorney replied, saying that the evidence presented, at this point, does not link Beckett with the car accident. The evidence also doesn’t prove his actions are a direct cause of the victim’s death.

The government said that he had been driving far above the speed limit when he travelled into oncoming traffic and struck a pole head-on.

The judge found probable cause that he murdered the victim and ordered him held. He will reappear in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 29.

Police Chief Newsham announces arrests in two murder cases

Police Chief Newsham announced the arrest of two suspects, wanted in connection with two separate murders.

At a press conference, Newsham spoke about the importance of bringing closure to the families that have lost loved ones, and holding those accountable who committed these crimes.

Newsham announced the arrest of 36-year-old Keith Archie who allegedly fatally stabbed 32-year-old Demond Marcel Rush. Rush was discovered by police around 1:15 a.m., on July 29, in the 3600 block of 22nd St., SE, suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was then transported to a hospital, where he died from his wounds the next day. Archie is being charged with second-degree murder while armed.

The arrest of 23-year-old Tyrell Moody, who allegedly fatally shot 17-year-old Jermaine Richards Jr, was also announced. Richards was discovered by police around 2:55 p.m., on July 30, in the 4400 block of Quarles St., NE, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He displayed no signs of life and was pronounced dead on the scene. Moody is being charged with second-degree murder while armed.

The Police Chief asked for the public’s help in providing any information they knew about these homicides or any other homicides. He said that this kind of violence has no place in the community and visitors and residents should be able to have a safe summer.

During a period of questions, he said that he does not believe that these murders are connected. Newsham said he believes the number one contributor to crime is a lack of opportunity for residents.

 

Suspect indicted for murder of Chijioke Agbakahi


Master Matthew Thomas was charged with felony murder while armed for the fatal shooting of 59-year-old Chijioke Agbakahi.

Agbakahi was discovered by police around 6:40 p.m, on Aug. 5, 2016, in the 5100 block of Georgia Ave., NW. He was found suffering from a gunshot wound and was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. On Aug. 10, 2016 he succumbed to his injuries and died.

Thomas was charged with felony murder while armed, on July 19. He appeared in court for arraignment on July 21, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyer requested evidence from the government. A trial date was set for April 30.

He is set to reappear in court for a status hearing on Oct. 6.

 

Man fatally shot early Wednesday morning


Police are investigating the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Kenneth Ronald Davis Jr.

Davis was discovered by police around 1:00 a.m., on Aug. 9, in the 1200 block of W St., SE. He was discovered by police, suffering from life threatening gunshot wounds. Davis was transported to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

Police have yet to release any suspect information.

Hit-and-run murder suspect ordered to undergo treatment

The man charged with driving drunk and killing a 65-year-old woman will undergo treatment while his case continues.

David Jones allegedly killed Carolyn Ellis, when he struck her with his car and she suffered major head trauma. He appeared to have been drinking that night. Open beer bottles were found in his car.

In  court, Jones’ attorney said that he wants to engage in drug and alcohol treatment.

After taking some time to conduct an assessment, a representative from Pre-trial Services said Jones is eligible for 60 days of residential treatment.

The government argued that the treatment facility isn’t locked and that Jones is a potential flight risk.

Judge Lopez allowed the treatment, and said this is a matter of someone who was heavily under the influence of drugs and alcohol and not someone trying to cause harm to somebody. He said the first step before the legal proceedings continue is to get treatment for Jones.

As the judge made the ruling, granting sixty days of treatment for Jones, the government again expressed concerns of him leaving treatment.

They are set to reappear on Sept. 15

Trial date pushed back for Kassahun Abebe Edo murder suspect


Milkiyas Bayisa’s murder trial was pushed back from August to January 2018 after prosecutors had scheduling conflicts.

Bayisa allegedly fatally assaulted Kassahun Abebe Edo, a resident of Irving, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2015, in the 700 block of Fairmont Street, NW. During an altercation, Edo fell and struck his head on the curb or sidewalk. He was taken to a hospital, but died from injuries sustained in the assault the next day.

This is the second time Bayisa’s trial date has been moved. The original trial date was set for Feb. 6 but this was moved to the Aug. 7 date because the government filed a motion for a continuance.

In February, his release conditions were modified so that he would be removed from the High Intensity Supervision Program. His ankle monitor was removed so his job functions would not be impeded, but he was still placed under Pretrial Services’ supervision.

Another trial readiness hearing was set for Dec. 15 with the jury trial set to take place on Jan. 8, 2018.

 

 

Man sentenced to five years for fatally beating a man who made fun of his haircut


Perez Green, the man who pleaded guilty to the fatal beating of James Harling in April, was sentenced to five years in prison as a part of a plea deal.

It took nearly three months for sentencing to take place after he pleaded guilty. From the day he pleaded guilty to the day he was sentenced, a status hearing was vacated, and delays in sentencing took place three times.

Charging documents indicate that Harling had made fun of Green saying he had a little boy’s haircut. Witnesses then said Green picked up a metal chair and beat him over the head multiple times. Harling was found unconscious with trauma to his head. He was then taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.

 

 

Murder suspect claims self defense

Details of the crime scene where 29-year-old Dominic Brooks was killed were relayed to a judge in court Friday.

William Edward Smith appeared in court for a preliminary hearing, for charges he allegedly fatally stabbed Brooks, on June 9, in the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. He was charged with second-degree murder while armed on June 15.

The government questioned a detective investigating the murder about a pocket knife and box cutter that were recovered from the scene. According to the detective, a witness said they had not seen Brooks with a knife or box cutter. The detective, who was there when Smith was arrested, said the suspect was found with pocket knife and he had used a fake name when first interviewed.

Smith’s attorney went on to cross examine the detective, beginning with questioning the injuries reported by the Chief Medical Examiner. The detective mentioned how the victim was found with a singular stab to the chest, deep enough to pierce the heart and lung. It was also reported that he had minor abrasions on the tops of his hands, indicating that he was involved in an altercation where he had used his fists.

One of the witness’ interviewed had been dating Brooks for about a month. On the night of June 8 leading to June 9, the two were attending a birthday party together. The witness had been drinking that night, according to what someone told the detective.

The witness and Brooks left the party and proceeded down the street, where they ended up crossing paths with Smith and someone named Lou. Smith and Brooks engaged in a conversation, after crossing paths, which led to a verbal altercation. The witness said they were unable to hear what the verbal altercation was about. The confrontation turned physical.

The witness told the detective that Brooks had been involved in a prior altercation, in which he had suffered injuries. In the early morning of June 9, he seemed to want to fight again. Prior to the fight, Brooks never reached in his pocket for any object, the witness told the detective.

The detective also summarized testimonies from other witnesses. An anonymous caller said they learned Smith said Brooks reached for a gun, so he stabbed him. Smith had also said that Brooks apparently had a hammer, so he decided to stab him. Another person interviewed said Smith was afraid because he believed Brooks carried a gun and a knife.

According to the defense, Smith felt threatened by Brooks who had a prior arrest for a weapons charge. They argued the court should not find probably cause, because Smith was acting in self-defense.

Smith felt threatened by Brooks, who had a prior arrest for a weapons charge, along with being scared by him. This led Smith to act first so he wouldn’t be shot or attacked by Brooks.He said at the very least, the charge should be mitigated to voluntary manslaughter and that Smith should be released.

 

Judge Lynn Lebovitz there is probable cause that Smith stabbed Brooks. She said she made the ruling because Smith had already admitted to the stabbing and there was no evidence that Brooks was armed.

Smith has already gone through a murder trial in Judge Leibovitz’s courtroom, in which he was acquitted by a jury. She said that this, along with him being a drug user and a potential danger to the community are reasons for him to be held. The defense requested that he be released to the High Intensity Supervision Program and monitored with GPS.

The judge denied the request and he was ordered to be held with no bond.

They are set to reappear on Nov. 9 for a felony status conference.

 

Daryl Thompson ordered held on murder charges


Daryl Thompson pleaded not guilty to the murder charges against him.

Thompson allegedly fatally shot 29-year-old Edward Roberts Jr., on July 30, 2016. Roberts was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW.

Nearly a month later, on Aug. 29, 2016, 23-year-old Tyler McEachern, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.

Thompson was arrested on Oct. 18, 2016 and charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed for the alleged fatal shooting of McEachern and Roberts.

Thompson pleaded not guilty to these charges and his attorney requested evidence from the government.

They are set to reappear for a felony status conference on Sept. 8.

 

Jarvis Belle fatally shot


Police are investigating the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Jarvis Belle.

Belle, along with three others, were discovered by police around 7:40 p.m., on Aug 3, in the 3400 block of 18th Street, NE. Belle was found suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds and was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The other three sought treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have yet to release any suspect information.

Probable cause found at preliminary hearing of Saeed Woodall


Details of the murder of Deonta Farrar were discussed in cour this week.

Saeed Woodall allegedly fatally shot 32-year-old Deonta Farrar on Aug. 9, 2016, in the 4500 block of Quarles Street, NE. Farrar was found by police suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

In court on Thursday, the prosecutor called the lead MPD homicide detective in Farrar’s case to testify about the homicide. He was questioned about the arrest warrant he had initially written for Woodall, along with changes in the testimony of some witnesses.

A witness referred to as witness three, changed her testimony from what was initially indicated in the arrest warrant. Another witness, referred to as witness six, allegedly ran into witness three and noticed that witness three had been assaulted.

The detective also answered questions about the crime scene, starting with describing the surveillance cameras in the area. He was shown, as evidence, multiple images from different cameras that showed a car that was allegedly driven by Woodall during the time of the murder.

Woodall’s attorney objected to the prosecutor referring to the surveillance footage from the cameras, because the videos had not yet been released to the defense. The judge dismissed the objection and allowed the prosecutor to refer to the footage in questioning the detective.

The detective also mentioned how he interviewed Woodall when he voluntarily came to his office, but it only lasted for a short time because Woodall requested an attorney.

The detective said six forty-caliber cases recovered, along with metal fragments. One of these fragments that was recovered, was found pancaked, which means that it hit an object while coming straight down.

In the cross-examination of the detective, the defense asked questions about the surveillance footage. He asked the detective if he had shown any witnesses the videos, in which the detective replied that he had not. The detective also answered questions about witness three, who he had conducted an interview with. He said that, on the day after the murder, witness three did not appear to have a knot on her head indicated she had not been assaulted.

The next set of questions were all about the alleged car used during the crime. The detective mentioned that nobody at the apartment complex, in which Woodall lived, was aware of him having a white car. The white car that is seen in the surveillance footage, was registered to the estranged girlfriend of Woodall.

When the estranged girlfriend interviewed with the detective, she had been upset because she wanted some of her stuff back from her car, which had been taken by the detective. The defense claimed that this impacted her story to the detective.

Woodall’s attorney mentioned how he was a poster child for Mayor Benson’s youth program.

 

Woodall’s attorney remarked that witness three had changed her story to include her being struck by a closed fist four times. He also said that the phone records, collected by the detective, didn’t place Woodall at the scene of the murder.

There was also an alleged exchange between Woodall and another man, in which an unknown item that could’ve been a gun, was transferred from the man outside the car to Woodall.

The defense concluded questioning by asking the detective why footage of the detective hadn’t collected video of this alleged exchange in Chinatown, which has many cameras. The detective said that he had not considered it necessary during his investigation. He also asked why no efforts were made to identify a person who was seen running from the scene.

Judge Hiram Puig-Lugo ruled that their was probable cause to find that Woodall had committed the crime.

After hearing the ruling, the defense asked for supervised release but this request was denied. He also asked for his client be transferred to the Correctional Treatment Facility, a lower security prison, due to Woodall having bad asthma. This request was denied and the judge said he could sign a medical alert.

Lastly, the defense again made a request for the surveillance footage, but the judge said that this could be taken care of later.

They are set to reappear on Nov. 3 for a status hearing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judge rules probable cause to hold 16-year-old for murder


Lamont McDonald, 16, was brought into court in a wheelchair, for his first hearing regarding the murder of Malachi Yisrael.

McDonald allegedly shot Yisrael, 43, in the 300 block of 50th street, Northeast on July 5 when a drug deal went wrong.

The government called a homicide detective who discussed evidence collected and an eyewitness’s testimony. The line of questioning from the government focused on the events that lead up to the homicide, focusing on the actions of McDonald. The defense’s questions dealt with the actions the decedent took before he was murdered.

In the closing remarks made by the government, they claimed that there was enough probable cause to continue the investigation. The fact that McDonald continued to shoot after Yisrael when he fell on the ground points to the fact that he intended to do it, the prosecution argued.

The defense made the claim that the McDonald was acting in self-defense when he shot Yisrael. She stated that Yisrael was a lot larger than him and was using force by hitting him.

Judge Jose Lopez, in agreeing with the government, ruled that there is probable cause to continue investigating, but allowed McDonald to be released to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services until his next court appearance.

McDonald is set to appear on Sept. 15 for a felony status conference.