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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.

Documents: Kenny Bell homicide report

Kenny Bell was found fatally shot on Feb. 12, 2017.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3461101-Police-report-re-Kenny-Bell-homicide.html”]

David Simmons murder may have stemmed from argument over money, warrant says

According to the warrant for Rashad Allen’s arrest, 32-year-old David Simmons otherwise known as “Yayo” may have been killed over a monetary dispute.

Simmons was killed March 15, 2015 at around 5 a.m. in Woodland, SE. According to police, they found Simmons body with apparent gunshot wounds nearby an apartment building. A second victim, an adult male, suffering from gunshot wounds was found a block away from the building.

A witness told police they woke to the sound of people arguing in the apartment courtyard over money. When they looked through a window they saw Simmons, the second victim and “Hype,” otherwise known as Allen arguing in the courtyard.

Shortly after going back to sleep the witness said they heard six to eight gunshots. When they looked through their window the second victim was running out of the courtyard and out of view with Allen following behind. Meanwhile, Simmons collapsed in front of a gate in the courtyard.

The witness also added that in both times that they looked out the window Allen did not appear to be in possession of a gun.

According to the police affidavit, this witness account matches the shell casing location that were found on the scene.

The second victim also gave a witness interview, in which he said he and Simmons were just outside the apartment building when a black man wearing a black mask, black sweatshirt and blue jeans walked up to them fired.

However, in the warrant police wrote “[This] account of events is not consistent with the ballistic evidence recovered from the scene.”

Allen is currently being held without bond as he awaits his September 19 trial where he faces second-degree murder while armed charges.

Allen is set to appear in court March 10 for a status hearing.

Defense calls for additional evidence testing in David Simmons murder trial

New evidence may be introduced in the murder trial against 33-year-old Rashad Allen.

According to police, Allen is responsible for fatally shooting David Simmons, 32, in March 2015 on the 2300 block of Hartford St., SE.

In a status hearing today as the case gears up for trial, Judge Lynn Leibovitz ordered witness Christopher Williams, who is set to testify for the prosecution, to undergo a cheek swab test. The judge explained that Williams’ DNA would be available for testing against evidence in Simmons’ murder.

In addition to the cheek swab, defense attorney April Downs also called for a growing list of other test to be done. At the top of that list is a blood swab, which was initially requested for testing. Downs mentioned clothing as another item to be tested.

Two other witnesses,Tyrone Williams and Rene Gaskins, were present and notified that the trial date was pushed from February 13 to September 18. Leibovitz ordered both Williams and Gaskins to be present for the start of the trial.

But before Gaskins was permitted to leave, a court marshal escorted Gaskins to Judge Marisa Demeo. According to the judge, Gaskins’ had an outstanding warrant out for his arrest stemming from a 2014 domestic violence incident.

Allen is currently behind bars facing second-degree murder while armed charges as he awaits his September trial. He is set to appear in court March 10 for a status hearing.

Police investigating Sunday’s fatal shooting


Police are investigating a shooting that killed 30-year-old Kenny Bell on Sunday.

According to police, they found Bell suffering from gunshot wounds at around 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Bell was found in the 3800 block of Eighth St., SE. Police remained with Bell’s body on the scene until he was transported to the medical examiner’s office.

Police have not yet released any suspect information.

Document: Rashad Allen arrest warrant

Rashad Allen was arrested and charged with the murder of David Simmons.

[documentcloud url=”http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3460905-Rashad-Allen-warrant-affidavit.html”]

Trial set for the shooting of Donald Bush

A trial date has been set for April for the case against Rodney Baggott.

Baggott, charged with second-degree murder while armed, was arrested for his role in the alleged murder of Donald Franklin Bush in June of 2015.

Bush, 44, was pronounced dead on the night of June 13, 2015. 

Baggott is charged in two different cases and will have his next hearing for both on March 31, 2017.

Murder victim had warrant for arrest before death, police say

The man found fatally shot early Tuesday morning was wanted in connection with a January robbery and shooting, according to a police spokesperson. 

Fox5DC broke news of Cheval Reid’s connection to a January robbery where a restaurant owner on North Capitol Street was closing up shop when a masked man attempted to steal her purse. There was a struggle and 60-year-old “Pinkie,” the store owner, was shot four times in her arms and legs.

Police issued a warrant for Reid’s arrest for his alleged role in the robbery. However, before he could be arrested, Reid was found dead on the side of the street in Brookland earlier this week.

According to a police spokesperson, there is no clear indication that the two offenses are connected. Police have not yet released any suspect information. 

Two suspects in the murder of Robinson Pal reject plea deal

Two men arrested and charged for the murder of 29-year-old Robinson Pal rejected a plea deal in court Thursday, and their case will now head to trial.

Devonte Johnson, 27 faces six charges for his alleged role in the Pal’s murder: first-degree murder while armed, two counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon outside of the home.

Antoine Byrd, 35, faces first-degree murder charges, two counts of Aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

The rejected plea agreement would have reduced both Byrd and Johnson’s charges to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Both charges stem from an altercation in a downtown club in February 2016. According to eyewitness interviews including in charging documents, Byrd and Pal were fighting and Byrd was heard saying he was, “ going to kill [Pal].”

Shortly after the fight began, an off-duty cop and club employee, responded to the fight and found Pal unconscious with a stab wound on the left side of his chest. A second victim was found just outside of the club suffering from a stab wound in his back.

Byrd and Johnson are both being held without bond as they await the start of their trial on September 19.

Byrd and Johnson are expected in court for a status hearing March 23.