Judge Sentences Stabbing Defendant to Four Years of Incarceration

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a stabbing defendant to four years of incarceration after she considered his lengthy mental health history during a sentencing on June 25.

James Petticolas, 41, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, second-degree burglary while armed, and destruction of property less than $1,000 for his involvement in non-fatal stabbing on the 1400 block of North Capitol Street, NW on May 10, 2024. The victim sustained one stab wound to his back.

Petticolas pleaded guilty on March 28 to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon. Petticolas attacked a store owner with an open flame and then slashed him across the back with a box cutter.

“I do apologize for that day. I wish it ain’t ever happened,” said Petticolas during his sentencing.

Petticolas’ defense attorney, Marnitta King, argued his actions resulted from Petticolas’ PTSD from a shooting incident in which he was the victim. “We do realize his mental health was triggered that day,” said King, adding that “he snapped.”

King alleged prosecutors misrepresented the evidence to exaggerate the severity of Petticolas’ conduct. King noted Petticolas was acquitted of charges in another case, after a bench trial that considered his mental health.

King asked Judge Brandt to not impose a sentence near the top of the guideline. She asked for the minimum 24 months for the assault charge and further supervised release for the possession charge. She said that Petticolas intended to take responsibility for his actions from the outset of the case and highlighted that this should grant him credit in the sentence decision.

Prosecutors argued for a maximum sentence of 66 months for the assault charge and 16 months for the possession charge to run concurrently. They emphasized the violent and unwarranted nature of the attack. He was “provoked into some kind of anger…chased down and stabbed [the victim] in the back,” said prosecutors.

The prosecution said Petticolas acted intentionally and that he inflicted harm on the victim. Prosecutors asked Judge Brandt to consider the psychological impact on the victim when she imposed the sentence.

Judge Brandt commended Petticolas for his early admission of guilt, and noted that Petticolas’ mental health history and limited criminal record made the sentence difficult. However, she also agreed that the nature of the offense and the severity of the victim’s injuries required appropriate punishment.

Judge Brandt sentenced Petticolas to 48 months of incarceration with three years of supervised release for assault with a dangerous weapon and 12 months of incarceration with one year of supervised release for the possession of a prohibited weapon. Petticolas will serve the sentences concurrently and complete mental health treatment upon release.

No further dates were set.

Carjacking Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel accepted a carjacking suspect’s waiver of his right to a preliminary hearing that would have presented evidence in the case on June 24.

Aaron Tolliver, 19, is charged with armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, and attempting to commit robbery while armed for his alleged involvement in a carjacking on Dec. 22, 2024 on the 1700 block of 4th Street, NW.

According to court documents, Tolliver allegedly demanded the keys to the victim’s vehicle while she was getting in her car, flashed a silver gun, and the victim complied out of fear. Tolliver then reportedly used the stolen car to rob two individuals and attempt to rob a third.

During the hearing, Tolliver’s attorney, Lauren Morehouse, waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Parties are set to reconvene on July 22.

McDonald’s Stabbing Defendant Deemed Competent to Stand Trial

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe deemed a defendant who allegedly stabbed an individual in a McDonald’s competent to stand trial on June 23.

James Allen, 31, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance for his alleged involvement in stabbing an individual inside a McDonald’s on the unit block of Massachusetts Avenue NE, on Dec. 28, 2024. The victim sustained a severe stab wound to her upper right arm.

According to court documents, Allen allegedly stabbed the victim while under the influence of amphetamines, then disposed of the knife in a nearby trash can, and fled the scene.

Judge Pipe previously ordered a full competency exam and mental observation hearing for Allen, and Allen was found competent to stand trial.

Allen’s attorney, Charles Allen, and the prosecution did not object to the competency finding.

Parties are slated to reconvene on June 30.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Video Evidence of Carjacking

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe found probable cause in a carjacking case, after prosecutors showed a video of the offense during a preliminary hearing on June 24.

Kevin Lester, 36, is charged with carjacking for his alleged involvement in an incident on June 13 on the 300 block of 40th Street, SW.

According to court documents, Lester and another suspect allegedly approached the victim’s vehicle. Lester then allegedly held a gun to the victim’s head and demanded he exit the vehicle. The second suspect reportedly pulled the keys out of the ignition, where Lester allegedly dragged the victim out of the vehicle and struck him multiple times. Both Lester and the other suspect allegedly got into the car and drove away.

During the hearing, the prosecution called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who arrested Lester to testify. Prosecutors showed a video of the offense in court.

Lester’s defense attorney, Theodore Shaw, argued no firearm was present in the footage. The MPD officer said it’s still possible the suspect had a gun because of the video angle and the “aggressive stance and body language” the suspect shows.

Judge Pipe found probable cause Lester committed the charges filed and said she has “no reason to believe Lester did not take the car.”

Judge Pipe also noted Lester’s criminal history of three prior convictions, two that involved a firearm and one assault incident.

Shaw requested Lester’s release with GPS monitoring and a stay away order. Judge Pipe denied Lester’s release and stated the circumstances of this event were “very concerning” and that “detention weighs heavily here.”

The prosecution also put a plea offer on the record. If Lester pleaded guilty to robbery and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, the prosecution would dismiss the carjacking charge. Lester rejected the plea offer and asserted his right to a jury trial.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Aug. 18.

Judge Grants Prosecutors Time to Review Motions in Road Rage Homicide

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt extended a deadline for prosecutors to review motions in a homicide case during a status hearing on June 24.

George Sutton, 45, 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.

According to court documents, Sutton allegedly shot Coleman three times from his car after the two got into a verbal altercation in an apparent road rage incident. Sutton has pleaded not guilty, and parties are on track to begin the trial in August.

During the status hearing, the prosecution requested more time to respond to recent filed motions by Sutton’s attorney, Steven Kiersh. The motions include a request to exclude drug references in oral statements Sutton made to the police, a motion to suppress cell phone data evidence, among other requests..

Parties are slated to reconvene for a motion hearing on July 29.

Judge Suspends 15 Month Sentence, Releases Shooting Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno suspended a 15 month sentence for a shooting defendant on June 25.

Bryant Howard, 22, pleaded guilty on April 21 to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and endangerment with a firearm in a public place for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Aug. 17, 2024 on the 100 block of Wayne Place, SE. The shooting did not injure any victims but severely damaged a vehicle.

Howard’s defense attorney, Elizabeth Paige White, asked Judge Salerno to consider Howard’ sentencing under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) due to this being his first adult felony conviction. The YRA effectively seals the record of a youthful defendant if he sucessfuly completes his term.

White requested a sentence of 10 months, all time suspended, and six months of supervised probation.

Prosecutors emphasized the extent of physical damages to the vehicle, as well as the emotional toll the incident inflicted on the owner. The prosecution did not request a specific sentence but asked for Howard to pay $1,000 in restitution to the victim and a stay-away order from the incident location. White disputed the stay-away order because Howard’s family lives in the area.

Judge Salerno sentenced Howard to 15 months, with all time suspended, three years of supervised release, and 18 months of supervised probation under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. With his probation, Howard is required to complete 90 hours of community service, pursue a GED or vocational training, and complete a gun violence prevention program.

Howard is also required to pay a $1,000 restitutions, register as a gun offender, and follow the stay-away order from the location of the incident.

Howard was released from the DC Jail, and no further dates were set.

Jail Stabbing Co-Defendant Now Wants Preliminary Hearing

A jail stabbing defendant decided to opt for a preliminary hearing after previously agreeing to waive, before DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann on June 26.

Christopher Broady, 25, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE on March 18, 2025, involving his cellmate and a co-defendant, Martinez Raynor. Broady allegedly joined an armed altercation, defending his cellmate from Raynor; all three individuals suffered from stab wounds in the incident.

Martinez Raynor pleaded guilty to simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon on May 30, 2025. Raynor was sentenced to 180 days of incarceration with credit for time served.

During the hearing, Broady’s attorney, Quo Mieko Judkins, informed Judge Hermann that Broady initially planned on waiving his preliminary hearing for probable cause but had changed his mind. Due to the last-minute change, Judkins requested a continuance for additional time to prepare.

The prosecution took their previous plea offer off the table in response to Broady’s last-minute decision to proceed with his hearing. The prosecution had offered Broady a misdemeanor plea to simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 10.

Detective Testifies About Missing Evidence in Five-Year-Old Shooting

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective described how he collected surveillance evidence of a non-fatal shooting during a motion hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on June 20.

Demann Shelton, 32, is charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The charges stem from Shelton’s alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 9, 2020 on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW. One individual sustained a gunshot wound to their right wrist.

According to court documents, Shelton’s defense attorneys, Emma Mlyniec and Emily Sufrin, filed a motion to dismiss the case because they alleged the prosecution failed to preserve key surveillance footage of the crime scene.

During the motion hearing, the prosecution called the MPD officer who oversaw the initial investigation to testify. Prosecutors confirmed with the detective that he followed all procedures while collecting the video evidence.

During cross-examination by Mlyniec and Sufrin, the detective admitted that other MPD officers gathered the CCTV footage and he did not review any video first-hand. The officer said he received most details of the case from other officers and struggled during questioning to recall where he learned certain information.

The detective justified not reviewing the video footage, and said there was “no arrest on-scene” and they did not identify a clear suspect.

The detective admitted that his memory was not clear because the incident happened almost five years ago.

Mlyniec and Sufrin suggested the lost camera footage would have been able to provide the evidence that could prove Shelton’s innocence. Due to time constraints, the defense did not finish questioning the detective and Judge Dayson did not rule on the motion.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for the officer to finish his testimony on June 26.

Carjacking Defendant Takes a Plea Deal, Acquitted on all Other Counts

Taya Johnson, a defendant in an armed carjacking, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and was subsequently acquitted on all other counts.

TJohnson, 26, was charged with armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, destruction of property, and assault on a police officer. The charges stem from an incident on January 16th, 2025 at 14th and V Street SE involving Johnson’s Uber driver. She allegedly threatened the driver, damaged his car, and bit an officer who later tried to detain her.

At the June 11 hearing, the case was transferred to DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld.

On June 13, a jury acquitted Johnson on all charges except for misdemeanor assault on a police officer.

Parties are slated to meet again on July 10.

‘Let’s Take the Mask Off’ Says Prosecutor in Triple Homicide Trial Closing Arguments

The prosecution delivered closing arguments before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz in a three-month-long mass shooting trial on June 25.

Erwin Dubose, 31, Kamar Queen, 28, Damonta Thompson, 28, and William Johnson-Lee, 22, are charged with conspiracy, premeditated first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and assault with significant bodily injury while armed, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting that killed 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW, on Sept. 4, 2021, injuring three additional people.

Mussay Rezene, 32, and Toyia Johnson, 53, are charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in burning the vehicle used in the shooting and helping the other defendants evade arrest.

The prosecution displayed an emotional video of the shooting that showed three people exiting a car on a residential street, hiding behind a house, then opening fire across the street and sprinting back into the vehicle. Screams heard from the emotionally charged video caused some members of the audience to leave the room.

The prosecution asserted that Dubose, Queen, and Johnson-Lee “turned the 600 block of Longfellow Street into a war zone,” while Thompson “made sure the mass shooting went smoothly” as the getaway driver. A prosecutor argued that Thompson would have known how critical the timing of the attack was because he noticed a police officer parked a block away who responded within seconds.

“This wasn’t luck,” the prosecutor said. “They hit who they were aiming at.”

The prosecutor continued, “This wasn’t a warzone, it was a neighborhood block…. Donnetta Dyson wasn’t a soldier, she was a medical nurse…. That is the world they flipped upside down. Row homes and parked cars became cover. Neighbors and police became combat medics…. A mother who finally got a weekend to herself became a casualty.”

The prosecution said the defendants wore all-black clothing, ski masks, rented a car with tinted windows, changed their phone numbers after the crime, and torched the getaway car, falsely reporting it as stolen, all as an attempt to cover up their tracks and evade responsibility.

The prosecution argued that private messages, social media posts, call records, and cell data locations presented during the trial showed the relationships between the defendants and their willingness to go to extremes for one another.

“They turn to the people that would do anything for them,” the prosecutor said of the defendants, citing messages such as, “I love you to the end,” between Johnson and Dubose.

The motive for the shooting, according to the prosecution, was retaliation for a shooting that occurred an hour earlier on the 800 block of Oglethorpe Street, NE, allegedly carried out by members of the local rival gang Kennedy Street Crew (KDY), targeting Queen.

The prosecutor showed still images from security cameras outside of the residence where Queen and his friends were sitting before shooters in an SUV opened fire on the porch and fled the scene. Queen’s close friend sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and stray bullets penetrated the front windows into the living room of the house where Queen’s mother lived.

The prosecutor claimed the SUV’s close proximity with windows down allowed Queen to identify the shooters as members of KDY. He said Braxton was a member of KDY who, along with another KDY member, beat Dubose unconscious five years prior while in jail, as witnesses testified during the trial.

The prosecutor supported the conspiracy charge with a detailed chronology of phone records, location data, and surveillance footage that allegedly linked the defendants to one another and to their plan and execution of the shooting.

According to the prosecution, Dubose, Queen, Thompson, and Johnson-Lee engaged in a flurry of phone activity as they moved westward across the city en route to the crime scene. The prosecutor said several of the defendants turned their phones off or left them behind to avoid detection while “executing the conspiracy.”

The prosecutor said Rezene, charged as an accessory, traveled rapidly across town to the apartment complex where the defendants fled post-shooting. Surveillance video showed the group arriving at the apartment without masks, except for Thompson, who wore a surgical mask.

The prosecution said the defendants’ phones reconnected to the network shortly after. The prosecutor cited calls Dubose made to Rezene and others, along with Instagram ties and jail call records, as further proof of coordination and concealment efforts.

“You don’t need a law degree to know that this was a conspiracy,” the prosecutor stated.

“So, let’s take the mask off,” said the prosecutor in reference to the ski masks the defendants allegedly wore during the shooting. The prosecutor argued they could still be identified through physical, electronic, and forensic evidence, as well as by their motive and consciousness of guilt.

Dubose was allegedly tied to the crime through distinctive clothing, his affinity for the “Draco” assault pistol, video footage, and social media posts, including his Instagram profile photo, which displayed a gray ski mask.

The prosecution asserted that, although Thompson did not fire a weapon, he was “willing to play whatever role he was assigned” and his role as the driver was indispensable. They emphasized that “this cannot happen without Thompson” and argued he should be held equally accountable for aiding and abetting.

Parties are scheduled to resume the prosecution’s closing arguments June 26.

Judge Releases Defendant in 1993 Murder

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan released a murder defendant in a 30-year-old case after the prosecution requested more time to gather witnesses during a hearing on June 25.

William Ransford, 61, is charged with first-degree murder and second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal strangulation of Debra McManus, 39, on the 400 block of Trenton Street, SE on Oct. 23, 1993.

According to court documents, Ransford was charged with the decades-old murder after his DNA was allegedly discovered on the decedent’s left sock and under her fingernails.

Ransford’s trial was set to begin June 24, however, the prosecution requested to delay the trial because of conflicts with their witnesses’ availability. The defense attorney, Molly Bunke, had concerns that the prosecution would keep pushing the trial date for lack of preparation or other last-minute complications.

Following the extension of the case, Judge Ryan decided to release Ransford until his next hearing.

The prosecution argued that Ransford has several past convictions for violent crimes, and should remain incarcerated to avoid endangering the public. Prosecutors said that in 2009 Ransford was charged with sexual abuse, in 2018 second-degree robbery, and in 2019 he failed to register as a sex offender.

Bunke informed the court that Ransford was recently diagnosed with cancer, and received a procedure that left him with limited mobility. Bunke claimed that Ransford’s only wish at this point in the case was to finally have it resolved.

Ultimately, Judge Ryan released Ransford to 24-hour home confinement.

Bunke provided the address of Ransford’s brother, where he will stay until his next hearing.

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 8.

Defendant Asks For Re-Trial in Shooting Case After Alleged Mishandled DNA Testing

A defense attorney requested a defendant be retried, claiming the case was prejudiced by the use of faulty DNA testing kits before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on June 12.

On April 30, Donnell Wells, 36, was acquitted of three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in a shooting on Aug. 1, 2024, on the 500 block of Newcomb Street, SE.

However, the jury convicted him of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his possession of a revolver during the incident.

Brandon Burrell, who was representing Wells, subsequently filed for a post-disposition motion hearing to address the problematic DNA testing issue. This, the defense argued, was grounds for a re-trial.

Judge Pipe said that though the DNA could have been affected by the faulty kits, the prosecutions’s informing the defense shows good intentions, thus not prejudicial.

“I don’t find that there was any bad faith,” she said.

Judge Pipe agreed that the faulty DNA kits clouded whether Wells would be found guilty if the information had been presented to the jury. Thus, the ruling for a retrial.

Burrell also requested that Wells be releases while he awaited the new trial. He said Wells would be able to be trusted if put on home confinement.

However, the prosecution said the scope of Wells’ offenses meant that release should not be on the table.

Judge Pipe decided that the nature of Wells’ prior offenses and the fact that Wells still had an active extraditable warrant for arrest made his eligibility for release before trial moot.

Wells’ retrial was scheduled for July 15.

Homicide Defendant Detained in Maryland While Awaiting Retrial

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman released a homicide defendant awaiting retrial, so he could be detained in Montgomery County, Maryland during a hearing on June 18.

Anthony Green, 39, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Terence Akindo on the 2300 block of 13th Place, NE on July 30, 2023. Akindo died from two gunshot wounds to his head and chest.

A mistrial was declared on May 30 after a jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Prosecutors stated their intent to retry the case and parties scheduled a new trial for Aug. 3, 2026.

According to the Montgomery County Department of Police, Green is charged with attempted first-degree murder among other charges for his alleged involvement in a shooting in Montgomery County, Maryland on July 15, 2023. The victim sustained injuries from two gunshots.

During the hearing, Judge Edelman agreed to Green’s transfer to a detention facility in Montgomery County.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 31.

Shooting Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing, Denied Release

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann denied a non-fatal shooting defendant’s request for release after he waived his right to a preliminary hearing on June 18.

Herbert Bender, 31, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 1300 block of Columbia Road, NW on June 6.

According to court documents, an individual exited a dark-colored SUV then reportedly fired several gunshots into a parking lot. Surveillance footage shows Bender exiting a building attached to the parking lot, and firing several gunshots into the south alley. One individual sustained injuries.

Bender’s defense attorney, Sean McCliggott, informed the court of Bender’s intent to waive his right to a preliminary hearing and requested Bender’s release. McCliggot argued Bender did not shoot first but acted in response to someone shooting at him.

The prosecution argued Bender’s release would not be safe for the community because the crime occurred in daylight near pedestrians. The prosecutor also noted that this is not Bender’s first criminal offense because he was convicted for assault with intent to commit robbery while armed in 2011.

Judge Herrmann denied Bender’s request for release due to his prior criminal history and nature of the offense.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 25.

Stabbing Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann accepted a stabbing defendant’s waiver of her preliminary hearing on June 18.

Tanjanae Bradley, 21, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that injured one individual on May 16 on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE.

According to court documents, Bradley was allegedly in a fight with the victim’s friend over the styling of a wig. Following the confrontation, the victim allegedly approached Bradley’s apartment door. Bradley reportedly said that she “is not scared of no fat b*tches,” and then allegedly stabbed the victim once in the stomach.

Bradley, present via Webex, allowed her attorney, Derek Paige, to waive her right to a preliminary hearing on her behalf.

Paige said Bradley was recently in a car accident and is on crutches. Paige asked that Judge Herrmann modify Bradley’s release conditions that required frequent drug testing.

Judge Herrmann did not grant Paige’s request for release modifications because she is not the calendar judge for the case. However, she encouraged Paige to ask DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel at the next hearing.

Parties are slated to reconvene July 22.

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