Psychological evaluation ordered for alleged killer of Kevin Sutherland

The man charged in the slaying of an AU graduate on board a red-line metro train has been ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation pending his trial.

18-year-old Jasper Spires appeared in court on Friday for two separate hearings with different judges for a robbery case and for the alleged murder of 24-year-old Kevin Sutherland. Sutherland was stabbed to death on board a metro car pulling into the NoMa-Gallaudet station on July 4. Authorities believe that Spires, while attempting to rob Sutherland of his phone, stabbed the Connecticut native more than thirty times while horrified passengers looked on. Witnesses also reported that after robbing two other passengers on the train, Spires proceeded to kick and punch Sutherland before fleeing the scene. Spires was arrested and charged with the murder on July 7.

In court, Spires’ behavior drew questions from the judge as to the defendant’s mental health. According to the Washington Post, Spires pranced into the courtroom smiling, and proceeded to laugh and interrupt the judge throughout the hearing. This behavior was reminiscent of Spires’ trial the previous week for an assault he had been charged with on July 2, The Washington Post reported. Spires had acted agitated and interrupted the judge overseeing the hearing with questions as to why he was in the courtroom. Citing Spires’ behavior, Judge Robert E. Morin ordered that the 18-year-old undergo a psychological evaluation.

According to WJLA, Spires’ attorney Antoini Jones argued that his client was misidentified by witnesses looking at a photo lineup. Jones said Spires’ behavior in court was understandable. “He’s an 18-year-old looking at a murder that we believe he didn’t commit” Jones said according to WUSA9. “That causes almost anyone to be nervous.”

Spires’ next hearing is scheduled for August 28 to review the mental evaluation.

Two men killed Monday afternoon

Police are investigating two different homicides that happened just hours apart in the District Monday afternoon.

According to police, Antonio Austin was fatally stabbed within a block of police headquarters, near 4th and E Streets, NW, Monday afternoon. Austin was taken to an area hospital where he later died.

Another man, Jerome Diggs, 47, was found on the 1300 bock of First Street SW suffering from gunshot wounds. He later died at the hospital.

Police are still investigating both homicides.

Robert Paris tested positive for PCP after killing woman with car, prosecutor says

The man charged with striking and killing a woman with his pick-up truck will be held while his trial proceeds, a judge ruled Monday.

Robert Paris, 52, was charged with second degree murder and leaving after colliding, after police say he struck Tomika Early, who was changing a flat tire.

Paris’ attorney, Judith Pipe argued for her client’s release due to health concerns, which was denied by a judge after the prosecution said Paris tested high for the drug PCP at the time of his arrest, and has prior charges for speeding and drug possession.

Paris’ detention hearing is set for August 24 at 9:30 a.m.

Man found fatally shot in Southeast Friday night

Police are investigating the shooting death of 23-year-old Antonio McCallister Friday night.

Police say McCallister was found at around 10:30 p.m. on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE, suffering from gunshot wounds. McCallister was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

Police investigating shooting death of 25-year-old

Police are investigating a fatal shooting that left a 25-year-old Southwest man dead.

According to police, Isiah Agyekum was found suffering from gunshot wounds Thursday afternoon around 5 p.m. in the 100 block of Darrington Street, SW. He was taken to the hospital and died.

Arrest made in 2014 murder of Breond Keys

Several months after police found 38-year-old Breond Keys dying from multiple gunshot wounds, an arrest has been made in his murder.

Police on Thursday announced the arrest of 27-year-old Antwon Deangelo Green, charged with second degree murder while armed.

According to police, Keys was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds at around 11:20 a.m. October 10, 2014. Keys was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

25-year-old fatally shot early Saturday

A 25-year-old man was fatally shot around 1 a.m. Saturday.

According to police, Wesley West was found unconscious on the 3400 block of 13^th Place, SE, suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local area hospital for treatment, but later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

West’s shooting is the second of three homicides from Friday night to early Saturday.

One dead, three injured in Friday night shooting

Police are investigating a shooting that killed 18-year-old Bryan Perkins.

According to police, Perkins was found in the 600 block of Edgewood Street, NE, at around 9:10 pm by officers responding to a report of a shooting. According to an MPD press release, Perkins was found suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and was taken to a local area hospital for treatment. The injuries he had sustained proved to fatal as Perkins later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

According to WUSA9, three additional adult males had sustained gunshot wounds during the crime, but their injuries were not life threatening. They were also taken to a local area hospital for treatment.

Perkin’s death was the first of three homicides that shook D.C. from Friday night to early Saturday, reports the Washington Post. However, Perkins’ case and that of two other victims are being investigated as separate homicides.

Police investigating death of Charles Douglas

Police are investigating a shooting that left a Maryland man dead over the weekend.

Charles Douglas, 33, from District Heights, was found by officers at 1:43 a.m. on Saturday after responding to a call of gunshots on the 1300 block of Riggs Street, NW. According to an MPD press release, Douglas was found suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and was transported by emergency personnel to a local area hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

According to WUSA9, Washington Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans issued a statement Saturday afternoon and said Douglas was sitting in his car when an unknown person approached and fired several shots.

Douglas’ death is just one of three that rocked D.C. from Friday night to early Saturday, according to the Washington Post. However, Douglas’ case and that of two other victims are being investigated as separate homicides.

Detective reveals Wint’s DNA found on construction vest in Savopoulos car

A detective revealed two of the five victims allegedly killed by Daron Wint were strangled at Wint’s preliminary hearing Monday.

Detective Jeff Owens spoke at the hearing which found probable cause to move forward with the trial and to hold Wint without bail. This was the first proceeding in the case, as Wint has changed representation twice– from his public defenders to a private attorney, and then back again.

Owens, the lead detective on the case, revealed that Savvas Savopoulos, killed in his home with his son and wife was strangled, as was his housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa. The two also suffered blunt force trauma.

Savopoulos was killed as was his wife, Amy, and son, Phillip.

According to Owens, a witness saw a blue Porsche, belonging to the Savopoulos’, driven erratically by a slim, black man, in his late 20’s or early 30’s, with a short hair cut, wearing a dark colored short with a bright neon construction vest. The vest was found in the car after the car had been set on fire. The vest was tested and Savvas’, Wint’s and another third unknown individual’s DNA was found. The strongest DNA found belonged to Savvas and Wint.

During the questioning, the defense also asked about Wint wanting to turn himself in to authorities. At one point, Wint talked with a detective on the phone; the detective told Wint he should turn himself in. Two other individuals, one of which was his brother, also came to authorities saying Wint wanted to turn himself in but Wint never came forward.

The next scheduled court date for Wint is September 25 at 9:45 a.m.

Robert Paris charged with murder of woman changing tire

Police charged a man with murder last Tuesday after he struck and killed a woman with his pick-up truck.

The driver, 52-year-old Robert Paris, was drunk at the time of the accident, police told WUSA9.

According to police, Tomika Early, 32 of Suitland, Maryland, was killed while changing her car’s tire on the side of the road at the intersection of Suitland Parkway and Stanton Road a little after 10 p.m.

According to NBC Washington, family and friends said Early’s boyfriend, who was helping her change the tire, found her body 50 feet away from the car.

Early suffered massive body trauma and succumbed to her injuries soon after. According to an MPD press release, after hitting Early the driver continued to drive and rear-ended another car and struck a light-pole.

Paris suffered only minor injuries in the collision. He was arrested at the scene and charged with second degree murder and leaving after colliding.

Paris’ preliminary hearing has been set for July 27 at 9:30 a.m.

Arrest made in murder of Thomas Harris

A suspect has been charged in the death of a Virginia man who died earlier this month.

Kenneth Garner, 24, was arrested last Wednesday and charged with first degree felony murder in the death of Thomas Harris, 54, of Alexandria.

According to MPD press releases, Harris died the day after he was found suffering from severe head wounds in the unit block of New York Avenue, NW, on July 5.

Garner has been charged with first degree felony murder in Harris’ death. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 30, 2015.

Police release video of people of interest connected to July 4 shooting

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying four people of interest wanted in the shooting death of Dwayne Gene Dillard.

According to police, Dillard and three others were shot the 2600 block of Douglass Place, SE on July 4. Dillard died from injuries sustained in the shooting.

The video identifies four people of interest in the shooting which also shows the four men with what appear to be guns.

Derryck Decuir ordered detained during trial in shooting death of 15-year-old

A judge ordered the man charged in the death of 15-year-old Malek Mercer held in prison as the trial progresses.

Judge Jennifer Anderson ruled there is probable cause for the charges against Derryck Decuir, charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and second degree murder while armed, whose trial is set to start November 2.

In the preliminary hearing on Thursday, Decuir was represented by Dana Page. Page had suggested the government release Decuir to a halfway house during the trial, which was denied by the judge. Decuir was on probation for a charge of carrying a handgun in Maryland when he was arrested.

Earlier in the proceedings when Anderson was explaining her decision to hold Decuir without bail, a fight outside the courtroom broke out and Mercer’s friends left the room, as did those supporting Decuir. Decuir was led out of the courtroom and the situation was quieted by guards outside. Later, a second outbreak began.

The prosecution called Detective Manuelle Duvall of the Metropolitan Police Department’s homicide division to testify in the preliminary hearing. Duvall relayed witness testimony that alleges Mercer and Decuir were together on a bus and got off at the same stop. Decuir and others asked if he and the witness were “selling belts” because Mercer was wearing a Versace-brand belt. Police allege Decuir shot Mercer in the back. Mercer died days later.

The next court date was set for November 2 at 9:30.

Suspected killer of intern Chandra Levy ordered detained during new trial

A judge has ordered the man charged with the death of Capitol Hill intern Chandra Levy detained as the case undergoes a re-trial.

Superior Court Judge Robert E. Morin ruled earlier this month that, despite controversial testimony from a key witness in the original trial, the prosecution’s evidence against Ingmar Guandique was strong enough to “find probable cause that the defendant committed first degree murder,” and that the trial would continue as planned.

Judge Morin also chose to uphold the prosecution’s motion that Guandique remain detained until his grand jury trial. Prosecutors cited Guandique’s criminal record and what appeared to be a previous escape attempt when Guandique jammed his shackles with paper to delay the trial back in 2009. However, no charges were officially filed.

Guandique, 33, with hands unshackled, sat with his defense team listening to his headset as his translators conveyed the decision. A new status hearing was scheduled for October 23 at 11:30 a.m. The grand jury trial is expected to begin in March of 2016.

Guandique was convicted of killing Levy, a 24 year old intern, back in 2010. Levy, who had disappeared in May 2001 while jogging, was found in Rock Creek Park after passerby’s found her skull in the brush in May, 2002. Guandique was convicted of the crime in 2010 after witnesses testified that Guandique had admitted to killing Levy, but the testimony of one key witness has brought the case back to court.

Jonathan Anderson, one of Guandique’s defense attorneys, argued in court that the testimony of Armando Morales, a convicted felon and former gang member who shared a cell with Guandique and testified against him in the 2009 trial, was “false.” Morales claimed that in 2006 Guandique had admitted to accidentally killing Levy, but only came forward with the information in 2009. Anderson specifically called in to question Morales’ answer when asked why he had waited so long to inform police, to which Morales replied, “I’ve never done nothing like this before.”

The defense says this statement implies that Morales had never informed on other inmates before, an untrue statement as he had acted as an informant twice before. Anderson also argued that Morales lied when he said that no deal had been made for his testimony as Morales has received witness protection treatment while in jail.

Prosecutor Kate Rakoczy said that these accusations were “overreaching,” and that Morales statement referred to testifying in front of a grand jury, and not to talking with police. Rakoczy also maintained that no benefits or special treatment was given to Morales for his testimony, and that witness protection was provided due to natural procedures at the prison to ensure prisoner safety.

Due to the controversy, prosecutors have yet to determine whether Morales’ testimony will be used in the new trial.

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