‘Have Mercy On Me,’ Pleads Defendant in Postal Worker Stabbing

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld sentenced a stabbing defendant to 39 months in prison on April 17.

Michael Bennett, 42, pleaded guilty on Feb. 13 to assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Nov. 12, 2025 on the unit block of Webster Street, NE. The victim, a United States Postal Service (USPS) worker, sustained a back wound.

During the hearing, the prosecutor said the “violent attack” occurred when postal worker was doing his job and the victim had “taken a while to get back on his feet.” The prosecutor asked Judge Hertzfeld to impose a sentence of 39 months followed by three years of supervised release.

Additionally, the prosecutor highlighted that Bennett committed the offense while on release for a separate case. They cited Bennett’s pattern of criminal history including prior assaults, firearm offenses, and various probation and contempt violations as well as his history of substance abuse. They asked for a “strict sentence.”

Angela Ramsey, Bennett’s attorney, asked Judge Hertzfeld to sentence Bennett between 16-to-18 months of imprisonment. She explained that the USPS worker was a relative of Bennett’s fiancee’s ex-husband. Ramsey described the incident as a domestic situation that “got out of control.”

According to Ramsey, Bennett expressed deep remorse for his actions and “really overreacted.” She told Judge Hertzfeld that Bennett suffers from mental health issues, which contributed to his extreme reaction.

“I am so sorry for what I’ve done,” Bennett said, expressing remorse.

He asked Judge Hertzfeld for leniency and said he was under significant stress at the time of the incident and was not in a clear state of mind.

“I ask the court to have mercy on me,” Bennett pleaded. He told Judge Herzfeld he wanted to remain with his children and fiancée, promising not to repeat the behavior.

Judge Hertzfeld said Bennett’s criminal history was a primary concern when determining the sentence. She noted that the victim was “just doing his job” and was walking away when Bennett stabbed him in the back.

As a result, Judge Herzfeld, sentenced Bennett to 39 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. She also imposed a no-contact order with the victim. Judge Hertzfeld recommended that Bennett be placed in a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility that offers mental health treatment.

“Good luck to you,” Judge Hertzfeld said.

No further dates were set.

Judge Denies Release for Domestic Stabbing Defendant After Probation Violations

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe denied a stabbing defendant’s request for release after repeated probation violations in a ruling on April 20.

Manuel Yeager, 41, was sentenced on Jan. 9 to three years imprisonment, all suspended, in favor of one year of probation for assault with a dangerous weapon. The charge stemmed from his involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the 2300 block of Q Street, SE on June 3, 2025. The victim, Yeager’s brother, sustained a stab wound to his right shin.

According to court records, Yeager is currently charged with threatening to kidnap or injure a person in an unrelated matter, which led to his probation violation and revocation in this case on March 26.

During the hearing, Yeager’s attorney, Daniel Kovler, requested Judge Pipe consider releasing Yeagar with GPS monitoring. He cited his limited criminal history and noted that he is currently being held on a separate case involving alleged threats.

Judge Pipe denied the request, stating that after a prior release, Yeager violated a stay-away order by returning to the address where the stabbing occurred. She also noted that Yeager has since incurred an another charge–this one involving threats at a retail store.

According to a representative from Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), Yeager failed to report to probation after receiving a fully suspended sentence.

As a result, Judge Pipe emphasized that based on these factors, there were no conditions she could impose that would ensure the safety of the community.

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 12.

Judge Considers Mistrial in Homicide Case

Defense attorneys in a homicide trial requested a mistrial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on April 23.

Jamil Whitley, 38, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year old Kevin Redd on the 4700 block of Jay Street, NE on June 11, 2020.

Whitley’s attorney, Madalyn Harvey, said that the prosecution’s mislabeling and failure to provide notice of discovery documents prevented the defense from properly preparing a Winfield defense to suggest that a third party committed the crime instead of the defendant.

According to Harvey, prosecutors provided a report filed with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) from July 4, 2020 reporting that a car, registered to the third-party, which they named in court, rammed the Redd’s wife’s car. However, images from a separate July 2, 2020 vandalism incident were included in the same report.

Harvey requested that Judge Dayson rule the case as a mistrial. Harvey claimed that evidence amounts to a Winfield defense, if it had been properly provided . Since the trial is underway, the defense argued that an insufficient investigation was completed.

Additionally, Harvey said that the defense would have called other witnesses had they known the information.

In response, the prosecution said they were unaware that there were two separate incidents.

Judge Dayson said that she didn’t think the prosecution knowingly misrepresented the dates, but ultimately the photos do not match the report.

“I’m not saying you knew this was a different thing,” Judge Dayson said to the prosecution.

Harvey proceeded that it was “inconceivable” that the prosecution would try to bury evidence favorable to the defense. Specifically the report that shows that the third-party had a gun at the time. Harvey stated that the defense struggled to get the materials, and had they had access to this information prior, they would have used the Winfield strategy from the beginning. Harvey claimed the reports would show that the Winfield defense was “backed by hard evidence” and used this to argue for a mistrial.

“The [prosecution] sat silent,” Harvey said, emphasizing that this was not merely a case of sorting through voluminous evidence possibly exculpatory, but the evidence was actually mislabeled.

The prosecution said they labeled evidence based on what the lead detective told them .

The prosecution confirmed that the body-worn footage from officers responding to the shooting no longer exists.

The prosecution stated they had filed this information as discovery early in the case. They argued that this was a failure on the part of the defense for not reading the discovery thoroughly.

The prosecution told Judge Dayson that the defense had spoken to witnesses involved in the incident in question, meaning they had the opportunity to gather relevant information for their defense.

Harvey responded by telling the court that they did not know to ask about the car crash incident during their interviews.

The detective in the case repeatedly reported that she did not remember many different aspects of her investigation. For example, whether she investigated the third-party and their alleged involvement in the case.

The detective also stated she did not remember her previous day’s testimony. Thus Judge Dayson questioned if the prosecution had met their burden of proof, and enabled Harvey to call another detective, for verification purposes, as her last witness in the case.

Judge Dayson ordered the prosecution to collect and turn over any information related to the third-party, including 911 calls, police notes, and communication with Maryland police.

She will take the motion to dismiss under advisement.

Parties are slated to reconvene April 27.

Defense Requests Missing Security Footage in 17-Year-Old Murder

A defense attorney requested prosecutors disclose missing security footage and information about a witness before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on April 22.

Randolph Thomas, 43, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, armed robbery, first-degree burglary while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and five counts of possession of a firearm with a crime of violence. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Emmanuel Durant Jr. on Dec. 31, 2009, on the 200 block of Webster Street, NE. Thomas was arrested in 2023 and charged for the incident.

Pierce Suen, one of Thomas’ attorneys, asked prosecutors to provide security footage from a 7-Eleven store around the time of the incident.

The prosecutor said the footage showed a person showing interest when an individual took out a “wad” of cash to pay, though the person with the cash said he was certain the aforementioned individual wasn’t the killer. The parties did not specify how the 7-Eleven footage relates to the homicide but according to a defense filing on Feb. 24, the footage is from Dec. 30, 2009–the day before the murder.

The prosecutor said the footage is missing and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), and the US Secret Service all unsuccessfully searched for the video.

Suen also asked prosecutors to disclose whether they offered benefits to a witness and his family in exchange for testifying because it could point to bias. He said the witness failed a polygraph test when asked if he was testifying in the case about threats or harming other witnesses.

The prosecutor said the witness repeatedly requested protection from threats over multiple years, and prosecutors didn’t request the witness be relocated until recently. They said threats toward the witness escalated when he came forward with information in Thomas’ case and said the witness previously requested to be put “in the hole” due to threats.

Suen said he assumed National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) tests did not indicate a connection between the December 2009 homicide and previous incidents because when cartridge casings are entered into NIBIN, they are analyzed and compared to prior entries, and there was no “hit” for the NIBIN testing in this case.

Judge Edelman said NIBIN testing would likely not prove Thomas’ innocence because it is considered less accurate than a human analyzing cartridge casings, and he has never seen a prosecutor’s case rely on NIBIN testing.

The prosecutor said the NIBIN algorithm may have changed since the testing was performed and said they would attempt to obtain and disclose to the defense records comparing the NIBIN entries in this and prior cases.

Suen requested an evidentiary hearing where he would call the lead detective on the case to testify, which he said would be helpful to clarify the timeline of the prosecutors’ investigation.

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 1.

Judge Denies Defendant’s Release in a Shooting During a Fight Among Groups

DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan denied release in a shooting case on April 21 because of the defendant’s prior criminal history and violent nature of the offense.

James Payne, 44, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly grave risk, assault with a dangerous weapon, and two counts of possession firearm during crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the corner of 2nd Street and Chillum Place, NE on Nov. 23, 2025. The incident left a victim with two gunshot wounds to the abdomen.

According to court documents, the incident began as a planned fight between two groups, but a third group joined later. The victim reportedly deployed pepper spray in the crowd before Payne allegedly fired a handgun at the victim.

At the hearing Payne’s attorney, Lauren Morehouse, informed Judge Nolan her client waived his right to a preliminary hearing thus acknowledging a finding of probable cause. After reviewing the waiver with Payne, Judge Nolan accepted it.

Morehouse asked Judge Nolan to release Payne under supervision from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). She stated he has strong support from family, cares for his stepchildren and grandchildren, and is employed. “[Payne’s] entire community is here and [he] has no reason to flee,” said Morehouse.

Morehouse cited Payne’s probation records from a separate case in Maryland saying it “shows exemplary compliance,” with no violations. Morehouse said that Payne’s record shows “he can be supervised successfully.”

The prosecutor noted that Payne’s Maryland case was a homicide where he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

The prosecutor argued Payne should remain held because of the violent nature of the offense. According to the prosecutor, the fight was planned prior to the shooting and Payne chose to bring a firearm. In addition, the victim’s injuries were so severe, they required emergency surgery and blood transfusions, said the prosecutor.

As a result, Judge Nolan ruled to keep Payne detained.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene on May 12.

‘I Want You to Work Hard on This Probation,’ Judge Says to Teen Carjacking Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro encouraged a teen carjacking defendant to maintain his release and probation conditions on April 22.

Denhym Boykins, 17, was sentenced on Jan. 16 to two years in prison, all suspended, in favor or 18 months of probation for robbery, carrying a pistol outside of a home or business, and unauthorized use of a vehicle for his involvement in a carjacking that occurred on the 1000 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE on Aug. 7, 2025.

Boykins was charged under Title 16, which allows juveniles to be tried as adults for certain serious offenses.

However, he was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), a policy that gives judges leniency when sentencing a defendant younger than 25 at the time of the incident. The YRA also grants the defendant the possibility to have their convictions sealed upon successful completion of requirements.

In the hearing, Boykins’ attorney Carrie Weletz confirmed that Boykins was attending regular check-ins with his probation officer and has not run into any issues meeting release requirements.

Boykins’ probation officer was not present at the hearing, but the courtroom clerk said that she was informed that Boykins was doing well.

Judge Di Toro told Boykins, “I want you to work hard on this probation.” She encouraged him to continue on the right path so that his conviction can be sealed.

No further dates were set.

Judge Denies Acquittal Motion in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson denied defense motion to acquit a homicide defendant of first-degree premeditated murder while armed on April 17.

Jamil Whitley, 38, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Kevin Redd on the 4700 block of Jay Street, NE on June 11, 2020. Redd sustained gunshot wounds to his left shoulder, left forearm, and chest.

In a hearing on April 14, James Brockway, Whitley’s attorney, motioned for a judgement of acquittal arguing that there was insufficient evidence. Judge Dayson denied the motion to acquit on all charges except for consideration of premeditated first-degree murder while armed.

At the hearing, several pieces of evidence were mentioned by Judge Dayson, including the Shell gas station surveillance video, in which prosecutors claimed that Whitley was holding a gun. However, Judge Dayson noted that the footage was unclear to definitively identify the object, and therefore said the claim has little value.

Judge Dayson also reviewed video footage that showed Whitley leaving the Shell not wearing a mask, then returning masked while picking up Redd.

Ultimately, the judge said the timing of Whitley’s movements aligned with Redd’s death. Thw act of concealing identity and transporting Redd to a more secluded location could reasonably support an inference of premeditation, according to Judge Dayson.

Considering the evidence, Judge Dayson denied Brockway’s motion for acquittal of premeditated first-degree murder while armed, finding that the prosecutors had presented enough evidence for a reasonable juror to find Whitley guilty.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 21 to resume the trial.

Conflicting Opening Arguments in Carjacking Case

Despite police and expert witnesses alleging a carjacking, a defense attorney argued the prosecution’s evidence was inconsistent in opening statements before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on April 21.

Miquel Beasley, 23, is charged with armed carjacking, robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and three counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on March 22, 2024, on the 3900 block of 1st Street, SE.

According to court documents, Beasley reportedly entered the victim’s vehicle for a marijuana transaction that allegedly escalated when Beasley pulled out a handgun. He then allegedly forced the victim out of the vehicle before fleeing the scene in it.

The prosecutor’s opening statements laid out what allegedly happened duirng the incident. He mentioned that Beasely and the victim knew each other for a couple of months, as they met through multiple friends. The prosecutor said the victim was at the scene to buy marijuana and ended up getting carjacked at gunpoint.

The prosecutor argued that the evidence will prove Beasley’s guilt. Their witnesses include a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, the lead investigator in the case, a DNA analyst, and a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent. Photographs and videos of the carjacked vehicle leaving the scene will also be presented to the jury.

Beasley’s attorney, Antoini Jones, stated that Beasley is innocent and argued that the prosecutor’s case is built on inaccurate and inconsistent evidence, including statements by the victim.

Judge Arthur thanked both parties and dismissed the jurors, instructing them to come back to court the next day to continue the trial.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 22.

Judge Delays Lengthy Homicide Deliberations Given Jurors’ Prior Commitments

After an eight day stretch, Jurors were asked to take about a two week break, then continue deliberations for a homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on April 21.

Jaime Macedo, 25, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, attempted robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of more than one year, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE, on July 5, 2023.

The jury began deliberating on April 9 before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz but Judge Edelman is now presiding over the case in Judge Kravitz’s absence.

On the eighth day of deliberations, in notes, many jurors raised concerns about personal obligations, such as international travel, graduation ceremonies, and job related commitments. One juror also expressed that a member of their jury felt ill and might require a visit to the emergency room.

As a result, Judge Edelman instructed the jurors to resume deliberations on May 4.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 27 for a motions hearing.

‘I Have Changed For The Better,’ Says Stabbing Defendant Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean sentenced a non-fatal stabbing defendant to one year in prison on April 17.

Alexis Rivera, 21, pleaded guilty on Feb. 3 to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for stabbing a person in the thumb while attempting to shoplift on the 1500 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE on Dec. 6, 2025.

The prosecutor requested Rivera be sentenced to two years imprisonment. He noted that Rivera committed the stabbing one day after being released from jail in Maryland where he was arrested for a similar crime. The prosecutor also requested Rivera be placed in a rehabilitation program.

Rivera’s attorney, Michael Rist, said Rivera was shoplifting to fund his opioid addiction. Rist said while Rivera had been arrested in the past, he was never convicted of a crime. He also said Rivera has been sober for five months.

Rist said Rivera’s addiction began when he smoked what he thought was marijuana but it turned out to have a crushed percocet pill in it. Rist said he suspected this was actually a mismarked fentanyl pill.

“My client was sort of tricked into using opioids at a young age,” Rist said.

Rist requested Rivera be sentenced to one year, suspending all but time served, with required drug treatment and educational programs.

He requested Rivera be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), a policy that gives judges leniency and discretion when sentencing a defendant who is younger than 25 at the time of the incident and the potential to have their convictions sealed upon successful completion of requirements.

Rivera said he was excited to participate in community service and pursue his education.

“I’m not really used to being around people who are trying to help,” Rivera said.“At least I feel like I would be proud of myself.”

Rivera said he was a “mindless soul” when he was on drugs and believes he has improved while incarcerated.

“I feel that I have changed for the better,” Rivera said.

Judge McLean said Rivera was still responsible for decisions he made under the influence of drugs. She sentenced him to one year imprisonment suspending all but five months for assault with a dangerous weapon, followed by one year of supervised probation.

“I want you to consider the plans you are making for how you will maintain sobriety when you get out,” Judge McLean said.

No further dates were set.

‘He Didn’t Care About the Case,’ Says Shooting Defendant Alleging Deficient Defense

A defense attorney argued before DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian on April 17 a shooting defendant’s previous representation was deficient, effectively denying him a fair trial.

Richard “Black” Nduba, 42, was sentenced on June 2, 2023 to 10 years imprisonment for assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a shooting that occurred in front of a Walmart at the unit block of H Street, NW on Aug. 10, 2022.

According to court documents, officers responded to a report of gunshots. The victim reported to the officers that he, wheelchair bound, was on the sidewalk when Nduba drove past and shot at him twice.

A jury returned a guilty verdict to both counts on March 22, 2023.

In a hearing before Judge Christian, Nduba’s attorney, Michelle Lockard, argued her motion of ineffective counsel, filed on Aug. 8, 2025, regarding the handling of Nduba’s trial. She argued that Nduba’s former attorney, Bruce Cooper, had no interest in representing him, unfairly disadvantaging Nduba. In her motion, Lockard requested Judge Christian reconsider Nduba’s sentence, reducing it and releasing him.

“I was really thinking he didn’t care about the case,” Nduba testified. Nduba sent DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur a letter prior to his trial on March 9, 2023, regarding Cooper and requesting a new attorney.. “After my first letter he caught an attitude with me,” Nduba said.

In one of the letters written to Judge Arthur, Nduba said he was not confident moving forward with Cooper as counsel. Nduba said that in the few times they met he tried to discuss the defense theory and plan for the trial with Cooper to no avail.

After the case was transferred to Judge Christian, Nduba recalled Cooper telling him he “can’t speak up” anymore. Further, according to Nduba, Cooper told him he may be discredited for testifying in his trial due to a past conviction.

Nduba said Cooper did not believe there was a defense in his case. Additionally, Nduba claimed he provided Cooper with a possible alibi’s information which Cooper did not follow-up or sufficiently investigate.

“If I knew it was going to end up like this, I would have taken the plea,” Nduba said.

Nduba recalled the trial, saying the prosecution depicted him “like some type of animal,” resulting in his 10 year sentence.

The defense also called Cooper who testified that “Nduba was difficult to deal with, he felt this whole case was beneath him.”

According to Cooper, he instructed his investigator to search for Nduba’s alibi which was inconclusive. The investigator, Cooper said, visited Nduba frequently. He said he often had the investigator meet with clients because he is African American and “sometimes [defendants] will not tell me things.”

“Nduba did not like talking to you because you aren’t an African American male,” Lockard questioned?

On the day of the trial, Cooper said Nduba requested new counsel. According to transcripts from March 20, 2023, Cooper supported the request saying they did “not have the best of relationships” and could “understand his desire for new counsel.”

Judge Christian asked if Cooper had discussed trial strategies with Nduba, to which Nduba reiterated in open court, “He actually told me he don’t see no defense in my case.”

Cooper disagreed and said he discussed strategy and was ready to proceed with the trial. Judge Christian denied Nduba’s request for new counsel.

Lockard claimed Cooper disregarded Nduba’s information about a possible alibi witness and did not diligently search for him. Additionally, Lockard said Cooper brought on a provisional attorney without Nduba’s consent. Nduba met the new attorney at the council table the day of trial, said Lockard.

Lockard called Justin Boggs, Nduba’s second attorney, as witness. According to Boggs, Cooper posted an opening online to serve as second chair in Nduba’s trial just a week before the start date.

Boggs said he cross-examined the victim and presented closing arguments in the trial. Lockard argued Boggs’ role in the trial quickly became the lead as Cooper took the back seat. She noted this dynamic was problematic as Nduba’s trial was the first in Boggs’ career.

Lockard characterized Boggs as the “game day QB ready to save the case.”

“With the little he knew about my case, he did a better job than Cooper would have,” Nduba testified about Boggs’ in his trial.

At the hearing, Boggs waved at Nduba upon leaving the witness stand. Nduba mouthed, “Thank you.”

Lockard additionally argued in her motion that Cooper did not adequately represent Nduba at his sentencing because he failed to mention any redeeming qualities of Nduba’s circumstances.

Lockard argued if Cooper investigated further and appointed Boggs with Nduba’s consent and knowledge, the case would have ended differently. She said his lack of action in the case violated Strickland v. Washington (1984) which holds “a defense attorney must have been objectively deficient and that there was a reasonable probability that a competent attorney would have led to a different outcome.”

“You can tell when somebody has an interest and is trying to help. [Cooper] didn’t have an interest in my case,” Nduba said.

The prosecution disagreed, arguing Lockard had no basis to call Cooper and Boggs ineffective because they operated with the information they had with an uncooperative defendant. Cooper testified he and his investigator attempted to track down the alibi. However, Cooper said Nduba’s previous attorney, Sara Kopecki, believed the alibi was a “ploy.”

The prosecution noted Nduba’s testimony was contradictory regarding communication with Cooper.

According to Nduba, Cooper never discussed the plea offer with him. Despite this, Cooper testified he discussed the plea and that he initially supported Nduba’s request for new counsel at the trial to give him more time to reconsider the plea offer. The prosecution argued Cooper’s communication did not affect the outcome of Nduba’s sentence.

Additionally, by speedily appointing Boggs as second chair, the prosecution argued Cooper put forth effort to win the case by getting help.

Boggs, according to Cooper, was known by colleagues as “aggressive” and was hired by Cooper to agitate the “belligerent” victim in cross-examination into quitting trial. The prosecution argued that Boggs’ lack of experience should not bar him from representing clients at trial. The prosecution emphasized Boggs’ success at trial as proof of Cooper’s effort.

“I wish I had you as my lawyer the whole time,” Boggs recalled Nduba saying to him after the trial.

Judge Christian did not make a ruling on the motion but said he will rule from chambers.

No further dates were set.

Defense Claims There are Evidence Gaps in a Homicide Trial

A defense attorney claimed the prosecution conducted a flawed investigation, leaving gaps in the evidence in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on April 22.

Jamil Whitley, 38, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. These counts stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Kevin Redd on June 11, 2020 on the 4700 block of Jay Street, NE.

Before the jury returned for the proceeding, Whitley’s attorney, Madalyn Harvey claimed there were gaps in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) investigation of the shooting. Harvey noted there were no arrest warrants issued despite requests from Redd’s mother about three other suspects.

When the jury entered, the prosecution cross-examined the lead MPD detective for the case who was in close contact with Redd’s mother throughout the investigation and communicated with her frequently via text message.

In redirect, Harvey asked the detective about “Be On the Look Out” (BOLO) reports the detective filled out with information about a wanted suspect in a case. The detective was unclear regarding how many BOLO’s she filled out. She claimed to remember creating one for a suspect car present at the crime scene, and believed she created another but was unsure for what or whom.

Harvey asked the prosecution for the other BOLO to refresh the detective’s memory, which they didn’t have. The prosecutors claimed it was not their job to have the other BOLO on hand and that it was included in the evidence they turned over to the defense prior to trial.

Harvey insisted that it was not in the evidence and the prosecution has a duty to correct the record if a “witness testified to something inaccurate” or admit if they failed to turn the BOLO over to the defense.

Judge Dayson agreed to have the detective review her notes during the lunch break to refresh her memory.

Following the break, the detective claimed she made a BOLO for Whitley, but that another BOLO had already been distributed online. According to the detective, MPD will only post a second BOLO for the same individual if the first posting doesn’t garner many leads, which was not the case for Whitley’s BOLO.

The detective stated that she doesn’t believe the second BOLO was ever posted, but isn’t sure, as BOLO postings are handled by someone else in MPD.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 23.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Carjacking Case, Denies Defendant’s Release

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond found probable cause in a carjacking incident based on a detective’s testimony, and denied a defendant’s release on April 17.

Tywan Jackson, 32, is charged with carjacking for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on the 4800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on Feb. 20. No injuries were reported.

According to court records, two parents were reportedly outside their car when Jackson allegedly drove off with their seven-year-old in the backseat. Jackson allegedly drove to the end of the block before fleeing the car.

During the hearing, prosecutors called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective, who investigated the case. The detective allegedly identified Jackson as the suspect in court.

The detective stated that MPD identified Jackson as the suspect through surveillance footage of a car alleged to belong to Jackson. The car is seen pulling into a nearby parking lot minutes before the incident. In addition, a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent identified a person said to be Jackson through surveillance footage taken two hours prior to the incident in front of Jackson’s residence.

During cross-examination, Diana Yu, Jackson’s attorney, said no eyewitness or victim identified Jackson as the suspect.

According to the detective, one victim gave a description of the carjacker, “Black male, in his 30’s, five foot eight inches-to-five foot ten inches.” The victim also described the carjacker wearing a black jacket and pants. The detective stated that those descriptions aided in identifying Jackson as the carjacker.

Yu played surveillance footage taken minutes before the incident, of the car the detective said was Jackson’s pulling into a parking lot outside his known residence. The detective said Jackson lived on the same avenue as the incident. Yu pointed out that no license plate or model identification could be seen on the suspect car in the footage.

In additional footage Yu played, the detective alleged Jackson left his car and walked towards the victims’ car.

The detective stated that he identified Jackson’s car through footage of him getting in hours earlier and previous investigative knowledge.

The detective stated that an FBI Special Agent recognized the “build, complexion, and hair” of Jackson from previous encounters in a separate investigation though no additional details were provided.

Yu played the footage from two hours before the incident, in which Jackson can allegedly be seen walking from his residence to the parking lot. In the video, Jackson is wearing similar black pants as the victim’s description with long dreadlocks.

Yu asked the detective if Jackson is the only person in the DC area to have his build, complexion, and hair. The detective responded, “no, Jackson is probably not the only person.”

Yu argued that probable cause was not proven because there was no identification made by an eyewitness or victim, and the identifications made were not reliable. According to Yu, there are differences in the victim’s description of the carjacker and the surveillance footage.

Judge Raymond found prosecutors met the low standard of probable cause, although she stated the prosecution does not have “a whole lot of strength in their case right now.”

Yu requested Jackson’s release, stating that Jackson has a stable job and two children. According to Yu, Jackson has been on supervised release since 2019 for an unrelated case in Maryland, and has complied with release conditions, until this alleged violation.

The prosecution stated Jackson’s criminal history included a carjacking and theft in Maryland, along with a case in DC for unauthorized use of a vehicle from 2016. According to prosecutors their evidence is strong in the case, including Jackson being the registered owner of the car seen on video and a connection to the incident location.

The prosecution stated they have “tremendous concerns” regarding releasing Jackson.

Judge Raymond denied release due to Jackson’s criminal history and finding probable cause.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 29.

‘I Never Meant to Do That,’ Says Shooting Defendant at Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to 12 months of imprisonment on April 17.

Reginald Datcher, 55, pleaded guilty on March 20 to assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with prior conviction for his involvement in a shooting on the 4200 block of Hillside Road, SE on July 20, 2024. No injuries were reported.

Datcher previously accepted a plea deal on June 4, 2025 for assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence but withdrew his guilty plea and accepted a new offer. The new offer carried a lower maximum penalty for the possession charge of 10 years in prison as opposed to the 15 years Datcher faced in the initial agreement.

At sentencing, the prosecution emphasized the seriousness of the offense, noting Datcher was armed and attempted to intimidate two individuals in a vehicle. The prosecution noted the domestic nature since Datcher was in a relationship with one of the victims. They argued Datcher caused significant distress to the victims after breaking the driver’s side window and discharging a firearm where one victim was seated.

The prosecution requested a sentence of 60 months imprisonment for the assault charge, suspended except for 30 months, and 24 months for the possession charge, suspended except for 18 months, to run concurrently.

Datcher’s attorney, John Machado, claimed the physical evidence did not conclusively prove the window was broken by gunfire and argued Datcher discharged the firearm into the air rather than into the vehicle.

Machado highlighted Datcher’s limited and dated criminal history, stable employment, and role as a father, stating that the incident occurred during a particularly difficult period in his life after losing three people close to him. He requested a sentence of 24 months, all suspended except for time served, with mental health treatment and anger management.

Two of Datcher’s sons addressed Judge Israel, describing him as a devoted father who raised them following the death of their mother. One of his sons noted that Datcher recently had a new child, which he believes will motivate Datcher to make better choices.

Datcher apologized to the victims, his family, and the court, stating, “I never meant to do that.” He expressed a desire to move forward positively and to do good for his family and community. Judge Israel described the incident as a reaction driven by emotional distress rather than premeditation, but emphasized that Datcher’s actions posed a significant risk to human life.

Judge Israel imposed a sentence of 39 months for the assault charge, suspended except for six months, and 24 months for the possession charge, suspended except for 12 months. The sentences will run concurrently for a total of 12 months imprisonment. If Datcher violates the terms of his probation, Judge Israel could require him to serve the remaining suspended time in prison.

Datcher was also ordered to complete two years of supervised probation with conditions including mental health evaluation, substance abuse assessment, and participation in programs such as anger management.

No further hearings were scheduled.

Stabbing Defendant Receives Global Plea Covering Some 6 Cases

A defense attorney informed DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel on April 20 a plea is pending that may affect a defendant’s stabbing case along with several other matters.

Antoinette Smith, 35, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on the 5600 block of 13th Street, NW on July 15, 2025. The victim sustained a laceration to the left side of her torso under her armpit.

According to Derrick Page, Smith’s attorney, he recently received a global plea offer from the prosecution that would resolve this case and Smith’s five-to-six pending cases. Page informed Judge Israel Smith requested more time to review the deal. The prosecution did not oppose the request.

Additionally, Page asked Judge Israel to remove Smith’s GPS monitoring. The judge did not make a ruling and told him to file the request in writing.

Parties are slated to reconvene on June 11.

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