David Bright rejects plea offer in double homicide case

The man charged with the alleged murder of Clifton Francis, 51, and David Watkins Jr., 45, rejected a plea deal that offered him 20-30 years in prison for each count against him.

David Bright, 29, was offered a plea deal where he would enter a guilty plea for two counts of voluntary manslaughter while armed that would earn him a maximum of 60 years in prison.

After he was brought into the court room, Bright said “Your people tried to kill me, know what happened,” to a family member of the deceased in the audience. He repeated this line twice, followed by a few swears until he was escorted out of the courtroom.

When the defendant returned, he apologized to D.C. Superior Court Judge Jose Lopez for his outburst and Detective Marvin Washington was called to the stand.

Bright has been charged with first-degree murder while armed. Bright lived inside a home with the two men he killed, and a witness who called police after the shooting.

Winters requested that her client be released to a halfway house or on high intensity supervision, because the defendant is employed and has ties to his community and his mother. Winters said there was not enough probable cause in the case against Bright because there is a question of who the initial aggressor was, and said Bright had acted in self-defense.

Judge Lopez rejected Winters’ request to release Bright and ordered him held without bail.

At Tuesday’s hearing, Det. Washington said he was the secondary detective in the investigation for this homicide case. He reviewed the details of the arrest warrant his partner, the lead detective in this investigation, had signed.

Defense attorney Dominique Winters questioned the credibility of the police’s first witness, and pointed to a romantic involvement he had with one victims and his “habitual drug use.”

According to the witness’ testimony in the charging documents, on the day of the shooting“Day-Day” (Bright) ran into the home and up the stairs–and then out again. He came in again and went up and down the stairs, when the witness then heard several “loud bangs” from the living room, where Francis was. The witness told police he saw “Day-Day” with a black handgun, shooting Francis at close range while yelling “This will teach you!”

The witness told police he then heard Watkins yell, “Day-Day what are you doing? You’re crazy!” According to the warrant, Bright then shot Watkins, and then pointed the gun at the witness’ head. The witness ran into a room and called police.

When police showed the witness a line up of photos, including Bright’s, he could not positively identify him. He did, however, give police a phone number that Bright uses. Bright had also filed a police report on Jan. 6 after he was the alleged victim of a theft, and gave the home where the shooting occurred as his address.

Winters asked the detective if the witness ever told him that there were any event before Bright ran upstairs to allegedly get the gun. The detective said the witness told police that there had been a verbal altercation, possibly regarding money, before Bright ran upstairs.

Bright’s next scheduled appearance in court is June 10 for a felony status conference.

Tammy Mathis-Lawrence released to halfway house

Tammy Mathis-Lawrence, the woman charged with allegedly stabbing her tenant in the neck, was ordered released to a halfway house until her next hearing on May 9.

In a hearing last week, Lawrence’s lawyer said her client is depressed in jail and her medication is “screwed up” by corrections officers.

Judge Milton C. Lee granted Lawrence a test run at the halfway house, and concluded, “…if [Lawrence] slips up then she will go back to jail.” Lawrence is expected to continue a drug detox program and continue taking medication as prescribed.

According to charging documents, Lawrence was arguing with her tenant, Ricardo Dasilva, about paying rent when she allegedly stabbed him in the neck with a pair of scissors.

In the hearing Friday, the prosecution relied heavily on the testimonials from Ricardo Dasilva’s girlfriend and Lawrence’s boyfriend, who were both in the apartment when the incident happened.

To supply a timeline of events and show what they perceived to be switching statements from Lawrence’s boyfriend, the prosecution showed body camera footage from the night of the stabbing to show recordings of witness testimonials. According to his testimony, Lawrence and Dasilva were speaking calmly at first, so the boyfriend went into his room where the stabbing later occurred. According to the charging documents, the boyfriend told police Dasilva put his hands around Lawrence’s throat and punched her in the face. Lawrence then pulled a pair of scissors out her bra and stabbed Dasilva in the neck.

The prosecution also showed Dasilva’s girlfriend’s statement to police, in which she tells police she overheard initial moments of the incident in which Lawrence went into a room and told Dasilva to not come in or he would “pay what he weighed.” The prosecution said this suggested a threat.

Lawrence’s lawyer, Judith Pipe began by saying “pay what you weigh” was a reference to paying his share of rent and was not a suggestion of violence. According to both witnesses, Dasilva died in Lawrence’s boyfriend’s arms after he had been stabbed in the neck.

The defense said the trauma Lawrence’s boyfriend experienced led him to slightly change his story in order to fully make sense of it. Pipe also argued Lawrence’s boyfriend was not on their “side.”

The defense focused largely on conditions Lawrence is experiencing in prison.

Judge Lee told both sides to take what the witnesses said “with a grain of salt,” because personal biases will always come into play.

The judge ordered a release of Lawrence to a halfway house and ordered her to model good behavior until her next court date on May 9.

Woman dies from injuries sustained in September

A 43-year-old woman died Sunday from injuries sustained in September of last year, and the cause of death was ruled a homicide.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Medina Michelle Thornton’s death a homicide, the result of complications of blunt force trauma to the head. According to police, Thornton was found unconscious and suffering from trauma to the head in an apartment in the 300 block of Delafield Place, NW, on Sept. 19, 2015.

Thornton died on April 3 from her injuries.

Death of man strangled in January ruled a homicide

The death of Sheldon Scott Gordy in January was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner last month.

According to police, Gordy, 55, was killed in the 1300 block of Nicholson Street, NW, on Jan. 5. His death was ruled a homicide by the office of the Chief Medical Examiner on March 31. The cause of death was “blunt force trauma with compression to the neck.”

Police have not yet arrested any suspects.

Police identify suspect for murder of Darnell Lee Richardson

Police are asking for the public’s help in searching for Leon Stewart, 24, a suspect wanted for allegedly shooting 29-year old Darnell Lee Richardson last month.

When found, police plan to charge Stewart with first-degree murder while armed for the death of Richardson in the 3400 block of Benning Road, NE on March 16.

Stewart is described by the police as a black male, weighing 190 pounds, and 5 feet 7 inches tall.

Anyone with information about Stewart’s whereabouts can call the Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9099.

Man charged with murdering 5-week-old son to be sentenced Friday

The man charged with squeezing his five-week old son to death in August will be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years in prison Friday.

Robert Smith Sr., 28, was initially charged with first-degree felony murder for the death of his five-week-old son Robert Smith Jr. In exchange for pleading guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, prosecutors offered a 30-year maximum sentence.

According to court documents, Smith Sr. initially denied causing his son’s death, but later told police “I did it.” He told the detective that he squeezed the child to stop him from crying and that he has done this multiple times before.

“Like you squeeze a roll of toothpaste,” Smith Sr. said.

According to Smith, he “compressed the child’s body” at around 7:30 a.m. the morning the child died, and bent his body backwards “like a whiplash” when he was frustrated and running out of options to calm the child. Smith said he had squeezed the child times before.

Smith also told the detective that his son’s mother “has this idea that ‘I’m a great guy,” but described himself as “a monster.”

The Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia conducted an autopsy that found multiple old injuries on the baby’s body, as well as fractures to the child’s ribs and hyperextensions of his spine. Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Mehdee Koolaee, said that these types of injuries are “inflicted injuries” and could not be caused by CPR.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2781756-Charging-docs-Robert-Smith.html”]

Delonte Wynn pleads not guilty to first-degree murder charge

Delonte Javon Wynn, 34, charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly planning the murder of Darlene Marie Bryant, 46, pleaded not guilty in court Thursday.

Wynn allegedly shot and killed Bryant in the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE, on May 13, 2015. He was arrested on June 30 and initially charged with second-degree murder while armed. The charge was then upgraded to first-degree murder while armed.

In court, U.S. Government attorney Chris Bruckmann said the government was done with DNA testing and had submitted reports to the defense and D.C. courts.

Wynn’s defense attorneys, Murad Hussain and Mary Kennedy, requested discovery from D.C. courts, as well as a scheduled trial date for their client.

A jury trial is scheduled for Dec. 5.

Three alleged Independence Day shooters appear in court

A judge granted permission for the government to do DNA testing of blood drops found at the scene of Dwayne Dillard’s homicide.

The three men charged with Dillard’s death appeared in court this week in a preliminary hearing.

Shakim Lyons, 26, Jonathan Taylor, 24, and Harry Herbert, 27 were arrested in Aug. 2015 and charged with second-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Dwayne Dillard on July 4 in the 2600 block of Douglass Place, SE. Their next court is April 22.

The prosecuting attorney in this case, Channing Phillips, requested that D.C. courts grant permission for additional DNA testing of blood drops from the scene. Phillips said he would let the defense know the results from the lab, as long as the defense allows the government to do the testing without the defense present. Defense attorneys, Natalie Lawson, Gene Johnson, and Frances D’Antuono agreed to the terms.

Murder suspect Ammaad Chase-El ordered to continue mental evaluation

One of three men charged with the alleged murder of Antonio Ayala a year ago was ordered by a judge to continue psychiatric treatment and testing at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

Ammaad Chase-El was arrested April 9, 2015 and charged with the murder of 34-year-old Antonio Ayala. According to police, Ayala was killed in a robbery gone wrong.

Chase-El has been going through mental examinations and competency retention programs at St. Elizabeth’s, and a previous mental observation hearing was also focused on his declining mental health.

A report relayed to the court from the hospital said Chase-El was experiencing a decline in competency and that the option of psychotropic medication (anti-depressants) was made voluntary. Doctors working with Chase-El urged the judge to make the medication mandatory because Chase El “will not regain mental state without it.”

Chase-El’s lawyer argued against the implementing of mandatory drugs until he received a definitive report that stated the drugs would ensure the recovery of Chase-El. The lawyer continued and stated that depression and cognitive function are two separate issues. The judge agreed and declined to make the drugs mandatory, and preferred to wait to see if Chase-El made any improvement in the next testing.

Due to Chase-El’s mental state, his mother and father came up from the audience to speak on his behalf. Chase El’s parents said they visit him at St. Elizabeth on a weekly basis and have seen first hand how the tests are being done. Both expressed dissatisfaction with the tests. Chase-El’s mother told about an instance she witnessed where one of the examiners raising their voice to Chase-El saying “Ammaad, why don’t you understand?”

The court decided to meet in another 30 days to allow Chase-El another month of mental tests. The judge urged Chase-El to put in his best effort when being tested at St. Elizabeth so the doctors can report accurate findings and the trial can progress past the mental observation hearings. Chase-El responded with his only words of the hearing and replied, “I do…my best.”

In addition to Chase-El, Javonte Odom and Herman Odom have also been charged in the case. Javonte Odom is due next in court on May 19, and Herman Odom is due back in court July 29.

Trial date set in murder case against Michael ‘Melvin’ Lee

The two week trial for the case against Michael “Melvin” Lee has been scheduled for November.

Lee was arrested on Nov. 20 of last year and has been charged with second-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Kevontae Jones, which occurred on Nov. 19 in the 100 block of Danbury Street, SW.

In court, U.S. Attorney Charles Willoughby said the investigation is ongoing and the government will be able to set an indictment date by the Aug. 2016 deadline. He suggested that the trial be scheduled for late December.

Judge Ryan denied the request because there will not be any jurors available during those weeks.

Instead, pre-trial motion hearings are scheduled for Nov. 8 and Nov. 9.

Maurice Bellamy held without bail in what prosecutor and police call ‘senseless’ murder

A judge ordered the 17-year-old charged with the murder of Davonte Washington held without bail in an emotionally charged courtroom Tuesday.

Maurice Bellamy, will be tried as an adult is charged with second-degree murder while armed while allegedly shooting Washington, 15, when he stood on a metro platform with his mother and two young sisters Saturday.

There were no empty seats in the emotional courtroom, packed with both the Washington and Bellamy families for Bellamy’s first appearance.

When Bellamy was brought forward in court, Bellamy’s mother jumped out of her seat and shouted “my son,” and was soon restrained by family and friends.

U.S. Attorney Glenn Kirschner said Bellamy’s case “gives new meaning” to the word “senseless” and requested him held without bail.

The judge said there was probable cause for Bellamy’s arrest and had not heard anything sufficient to rebut the arrest. His next court date is April 22.

According to an affidavit for Bellamy’s arrest, police reviewed surveillance footage at the Deanwood metro station following the shooting that left Washington dead, at around 4 p.m. According to the document, Washington, his mother and two younger sisters are seen sitting on a bench enclosed in glass. The document says it appears as though one of the sisters looks at Bellamy, who walks onto the platform with friends. The man police identified as Bellamy is seen pulling a gun from his waistband, and shooting at Washington, who stood up from the bench.

Police created a photo of Bellamy from the video, and compared it to a list of juvenile offenders, which matched with Bellamy, according to the document.
Bellamy is seen in the footage running out of the metro station.

Police also identified Bellamy as the suspect using Facebook. According to the affidavit, police found photos of Bellamy on his Facebook identifying himself as “SHOOTA MOE, AKA, MOE CITY” and “KENTLANDMO.” According to the document police reviewed other arrest paperwork for Bellamy where his nickname is “Moe” and had a prior address in the Kentland neighborhood of Maryland.

Witnesses included in the document told police Bellamy and Washington had a short dialogue before Washington was shot.

The first witness, presumed to be Washington’s mother, said they were sitting on the bench when Bellamy got Washington’s attention. Washington had been preoccupied on his cell phone, and the suspect allegedly rapped on the glass to get his attention. The witness couldn’t hear what began the conversation, but said Washington walked away from the enclosed bench, and Bellamy said “What’s up?,” to which Washington also replied, “What’s up?” The witness said they believed Bellamy was about to begin a fight when he pulled a gun out and shot Washington. The witness said feathers came out of the back of Washington’s jacket when he was shot. The witness said Bellamy was armed with a revolver.

According to the medical examiner’s report quoted in the document, Washington was shot twice in the torso which lead to his death. Police could not find any casings at the scene of the homicide, which also led them to believe the murder weapon was a revolver.

A second witness who had accompanied Bellamy to the metro station identified the shooter as “Mikey B” or “Moe.” This witness told police the alleged shooter engaged Washington, asking “What the [sic] you keep looking at me for, you know me from somewhere?,” with his hand in his pocket. The alleged shooter then again said “What?” When Washington got off the bench and said “What?” he was shot by “Mikey B,” according to the witness. Throughout the interview, police reportedly pushed the witness to find out the suspect’s “real name” and were later told his real name is “Moe.”

A third witness also interviewed told police that “Moe” had been living with him and another witness, a second companion at the metro station for a while. This witness also confirmed Bellamy’s photo and identity as “Moe.”

Outside the courthouse, Victor Leonard, Washington’s grandfather, said he couldn’t believe the shooter was a “kid” around the same age as his grandson.

Leonard said Washington’s mother recognized Bellamy as the shooter when he took the stand and said, “Yeah, that’s who killed my baby,” during the presentment.

“I can’t say how I feel,” he said. “It is a new meaning to a senseless act. That’s what everybody wants to know – ‘For what reason would you do this?’ I can’t find a reason.”

Leonard said he is relieved Bellamy is off the street and that somebody is in custody and will be held accountable for the murder of his grandson. He said he hopes Bellamy receives some type of penalty or “what ever it is he needs.”

Leonard said the Washington family was “tight-knit” with both the mother and father’s side of the family there along with nieces, cousins, uncles and many more. He said his daughter is “very distraught” about Washington’s death.

Leonard said he would tell the Bellamy family to pray and wished to Bellamy to understand why he killed Washington.

“It is shocking and scary to see that somebody would look at another person and think their life is meaningless,” he said. “This could really happen.”

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2779590-Charging-docs-Maurice-Bellamy.html”]

17-year old suspect charged with murder of 15-year old Davonte Washington

Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of a 17-year old for the murder of a 15-year old Davonte Washington, who was killed in front of his mother and younger sisters at the Deanwood metro station platform Saturday.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier said at a press conference Tuesday morning that the suspect is being charged with second-degree murder while armed and will be tried as an adult.

Though police did not release the name of the suspect, and said more information would be provided at the 2 p.m. arraignment, court documents show 17-year-old Maurice Bellamy was charged with Washington’s murder.

Police said video surveillance was “critical” in finding and identifying the suspect.

Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said Washington was on his way to get a haircut for Easter Sunday with his mother and two sisters when there was a “brief exchange” between the suspect around 4 p.m. at the Deanwood metro platform. The suspect shot Washington after the conversation turned into an argument.

“It was a senseless act that happened in a matter of moments,” Sternbeck said.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier speaking at Tuesday's press conference — Police Chief Cathy Lanier speaking at Tuesday’s press conference

Washington was taken to Prince George’s County Hospital where he then died.

At the press conference, Lanier said there was no information about whether or not the suspect and Washington knew each other, but she could not say if the shooting was completely random.

“Of all the tragic things that we see when it comes to violence, nothing is more senseless than this case, in my opinion,” Lanier said. “There’s no reason for it.”

Over the weekend, Washington’s grandfather told reporters that his grandson’s mother had never seen the suspect before and has no reason to believe her son was a part of anything that would get him killed.

Washington’s grandfather told reporters that the family had a “very somber Easter.”

18-year-old girl fatally stabbed at a bus stop

An 18-year-old girl was fatally stabbed at a bus stop on the 4800 block of Benning Road, SE.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department press release, a patrol officer witnessed a fight between two girls at the bus stop on March 22. The officer stopped the fight, but not before one girl stabbed the other.

The victim, later identified as Amanjanea La-Shell Whitley, was transported to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Police looking for suspect after man fatally shot

Police are investigating the fatal shooting of Gabriel Carlos Turner.

Turner, of Southeast, was found on the 2600 block of Birney Place, SE, on March 24 with a gunshot wound.

Turner was taken to the hospital where he later died.

Five suspects arrested for homicides

Police have announced the arrest of several suspects in five homicide cases, including one case that dated back to 2013.

Last week, Ronald Bruce Thomas, 29, was charged with first-degree murder while armed for the alleged fatal shooting Dontell Price, 21, on the Unit block of M Street, NE, in May 2013.

All other arrests announced by the police last week were made in homicides in Southeast, D.C. this month.

A juvenile female was arrested on March 22 and charged with second-degree murder while armed for fatally stabbing Amanjanea La-Shell Whitley, 18, on the 4800 block of Benning Road, SE. According to the Metropolitan Police Department’s press release, a patrol officer in the neighborhood witnessed the fight between the suspect and Whitley at the bus stop, before the suspect stabbed Whitley.

Also on March 22, police announced the arrest of Anthony Wade, 29. Wade was charged with second-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting Aubrey Dansbury, 27, on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE on March 9.

On March 24, police arrested Alphonso Roberts, 32, for fatally shooting Maurico Walker, 23.

Tavon Stewart, 24, was also arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed, for fatally shooting Rudolph Garris, 25, on the 4600 block of 6th street, SE.

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