Thomasine Bennett was charged with the murder of Walter Clark.
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Suspect Brandon Byrd to undergo mental evaluation
A judge on Tuesday ordered murder suspect Brandon Byrd undergo a mental evaluation at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
Brandon Byrd was charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing his father, Otis Byrd, near a hospital parking garage last August.
On Tuesday the judge ordered Byrd held at St. Elizabeth for a mental evaluation. Byrd is scheduled for a status update on his mental evaluation on March 23.
Police investigating Northeast shooting
Police are investigating a Friday night shooting that left 53-year-old Eric Linnair Wright dead.
According to a police spokesperson, around 9:30 p.m. police responded to reports of gunfire on 900 block of 12th St., NE. Upon their arrival, police found Wright unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds.
Wright was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police have not released any suspect information at this time.
63-year-old man killed Friday afternoon
Police arrested a 76-year-old woman for her alleged role in the murder of Walter Mack Clark.
According to a police spokesperson, on Friday around 1 p.m. police responded to a call on 700 block of 21st St., where they found Clark, 63, suffering from trauma.
Clark was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. Clark’s cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma to the body.
Later that day, police arrested and charged Thomasine Bennett for her alleged involvement in Clark’s murder.
Bennett is currently being held without bond as she faces first-degree murder while armed charges.
Bennett is expected in court Feb. 28 for a preliminary hearing.
Milkiyas Bayisa released from high intensity supervision pending trial
A judge on Friday released Milkiyas Bayisa from electronic monitoring, as he awaits a trial for the alleged murder of Kassahun Abebe Edo, in 2015.
Bayisa, who has been under high intensity supervision which includes wearing an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet, has had no infractions and shown up to all court dates. A judge has allowed him to be released, as long as he checks in twice weekly and completes random drug testing.
Bayisa is charged with second-degree murder for the killing of Edo, a 35-year-old man. According to police, Edo fell and struck his head on a sidewalk or curb at around 3 a.m. Edo was found in the 700 block of Fairmont Street, NW, by police officers responding to a report of a fight in that area. Edo was taken to the hospital but died from the assault. Police say he was a resident of Irving, Texas.
Bayisa’s next court date is scheduled for July 21.
Police searching for person of interest in Starkey murder
Police are searching for a person of interest in the murder of 35-year-old Willie Starkey.
Starkey was fatally shot around 2:40 p.m. Jan. 24 on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE. On the scene, police found Starkey suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Starkey was brought to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
In an updated video released by police, two individuals wearing black hoodies, dark jeans and black shoes can be seen walking through a neighborhood. The scene changes to a parking lot area in front of a store. One individual, as described previously, can be seen pulling a gun from their hoodie and firing.
Police are urging anyone who has information about the shooting to come forward.
Judge denies request to release suspect Carmelita Henderson
A judge on Thursday denied a request to release suspect Carmelita Henderson.
Henderson was charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly fatally shooting Levi Davis.
According to police, Davis was found shot in the 4200 block of East Capitol St. NE in September of 2015.
On Thursday, the judge denied the defense attorney’s request to release Henderson. The judge was considering releasing Henderson and had requested verification of employment. The government learned that Henderson was no longer employed and the judge chose not to release Henderson.
Henderson is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on April, 5. 2017.
Case against Wilbert Whitaker to head to trial
Suspect Wilbert Whitaker rejected a plea deal from the government Thursday for the alleged murder of Leo Hackett.
In April of 2016, police responded to the sounds of gunshots in the 800 block of 21st St., NE and found Hackett with multiple gunshot wounds. Hackett was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police arrested Whitaker and charged him with second-degree murder while armed.
Whitaker has been out of jail and enrolled in high intensity supervision.
On Thursday, Whitaker denied the government’s plea deal offer that would have avoided a trial.
Whitaker is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on May 12. A trial has been scheduled for June 5.
Police arrest fourth suspect in Deeniquia Dodds murder
Police have arrested and charged Cyheme Hall as the fourth suspect in the murder of a 22-year-old transgender woman.
Deeniquia Dodds, otherwise known as Gregory Dodds, was fatally shot July 4, 2016. At around 3 a.m. on the 200 block of Division Ave., NE, police found Dodd unconscious and suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. Dodd was brought to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead two weeks later.
Hall, 21, was arrested and charged Feb. 14 with first-degree-murder while armed for his alleged involvement in Dodd’s murder.
According to supporting documents, Hall along with 22-year-old Sharrem Hall, 26-year-old Jalonte Little, and 21-year-old Monte Johnson were involved in a series of armed robberies targeting the transgender community.
All four men are being held without bond as they face first-degree murder charges.
Hall is expected in court March 10 for a preliminary hearing.
Gabriel Turner murder suspect is headed to trial
The man charged with the murder of 46-year-old Gabriel Turner retained new counsel and rejected a plea deal in a status hearing Wednesday.
The public defender services requested Kelby Gordon, 29, receive new counsel based on a conflict of interest. According to Judge Milton Lee, PDS reserves the right to motion for new consul if they feel,“ they may not be able to give full zealous services.”
Judge Lee appointed Richard Holliday as the new defense lawyer in place of public defenders Gabriel Diaz and Joseph Wong. Lee also called for a 30-day delay in order to give Holliday time to to get up to speed with the case.
Against the wishes of Judge Lee, Holliday rejected the delay and pushed for setting a trial date – ultimately rejecting any plea offers on the table.
The plea deal offered by the prosecution would have reduced the seven charges against Gordon to one count of second-degree murder while armed. The deal would have suggested an 11 to 17 year sentence.
Gordon rejected the deal and is set to head to trial on February 5, 2018 for two counts of first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of firearm during crime of violence, one count of attempted robbery while armed and one count of assault with intent to kill.
All charges stem from Gordon’s alleged role in Turner’s murder. According to police, around 11:30 a.m. on March 24, 2016 Turner was fatally shot at 2462 Birney Place, SE. According to Gordon’s arrest warrant, police believe Gordon fired the shot that ended Turner’s life.
Gordon is expected in court April 28 for a status hearing.
Another hearing date set for Joseph Brown
The case against suspect Joseph Brown continued in court Friday, while the prosecution announced they are still seeking to indict Brown for the alleged killing of Antwan Baker.
Brown was arrested and charged with a double shooting in November 2015 that left Baker dead and another man wounded.
According to police, the two males were found with gunshot wounds at around 11:30 a.m. on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE. Responding medical personnel found Baker, without any signs of life, and transported a surviving male to the hospital.
Brown, 26, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed on the following Tuesday.
Brown is expected to be in court on May 19, 2017.
Man kills pedestrian in drunken hit-and-run, police say
Before David Jones was found by police, stumbling around 14th street in a drunken stupor, police say he struck a pedestrian with his car, killing her.
Jones is currently being held without bond as he faces second-degree murder, driving under the influence and leaving after colliding charges.
According to charging documents, Carolyn Ellis and another pedestrian were crossing on 10th and U St., NW when a black car raced around the corner and struck Ellis, at around 10:45 p.m. Feb. 6.
According to a witness interview, Ellis’ body was thrown 8 to 10 feet in the air before hitting a parked car and landing on the street. Unconscious with blood coming from her mouth, Ellis was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. Ellis’ cause of death was declared major head trauma.
Shortly after the incident, a black car with damage consistent with striking a pedestrian was found illegally parked on 14th street. Upon inspecting the car, police found open beer bottles lying on the passenger side floor.
Prior to the incident, police officers saw black individual with dreadlocks speeding in a black car near the U-street intersection, according to the warrant.
Using that description canvassing officers were able to locate a visibly intoxicated Jones. Jones matched the description given previously and was holding the keys to the damaged black car. Jones was also holding a watch with a torn wrist band.
According to court documents, while an officer attempted to declare the defendant drunk, Jones said, “I’m drunk, lock me up.”
Jones will appear in court Feb. 17 for a preliminary hearing.
Carmelita Henderson is ordered held with no bond
Suspect Carmelita Henderson is being held with no bond for the alleged murder of Levi Kinte Davis.
Henderson, charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Davis is expected in court again on Feb. 16. In court on Tuesday, the judge requested the suspect’s verification of employment in case she decides to release her at a later date.
According to police, Davis was found shot in the 4200 block of East Capitol St. NE in September of 2015.
Davis was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.
Henderson was arrested in December of last year.
Judge orders DNA testing for hit-and-run suspect
David Jones, the alleged killer of 65-year-old Carolyn Ellis was ordered to undergo DNA testing during a status hearing on Tuesday.
Prior to Tuesday’s hearing, a motion made to hold Jones in contempt for refusing to providing blood and urine samples. However, a deal was struck between the defense and prosecution and together they decided for pre-trial services to take Jones’ urine sample and a jail phlebotomist to take Jones’ blood.
Judge Lynn Leibovitz stated the issue was a moot point, but still ordered the defendant to comply.
Jones currently faces second-degree-murder, driving under the influence and leaving after colliding charges for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run on Feb. 6.
According to court documents, Jones allegedly drunk and behind the wheel hit Ellis at an intersection on 10th and U St., NW.
Jones is being held without bond as he awaits a preliminary hearing on Feb. 17.
30-year-old found killed behind school
New information has been released surrounding the shooting death of Kenny Bell Sunday night.
According to a police report, Bell was found lying unconscious in a puddle of blood. Police responded to 3855 Eighth St., SE for a report of 13 gunshots. In a field behind a nearby school, police found Bell unconscious and unresponsive. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Police have not yet released any suspect information.