Witnesses Testify About Lengthy Blood Trail in Homicide Trial

Prosecutors called multiple witnesses who testified about a blood trail at the crime scene during a fatal shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on April 21.

Ranje Reynolds, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Tarek Boothe on Jan. 31, 2022, on the 3200 block of M Street, NW.

The prosecution called a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Canine Unit who testified that he responded to the scene on the night of the incident. Prosecutors played footage from the detective’s body-worn camera of a police dog tracking the blood spatters, which the detective said went around the block and into a parking garage.

Three forensic scientists from the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) also testified that they collected suspected blood samples and took photos of the crime scene on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2022.

According to court documents, the blood trail led north on 33rd Street, away from the victim’s body, turned right on N Street, and ended in front of a building on the 3200 block of N Street.

Court documents described an additional blood trail in the courtyard of Eaton Court near a smoke shop, and down a set of stairs that led to the crime scene. A blood trail was also observed in the parking garage on the ground level of the courtyard.

Prosecutors also called an eyewitness, an employee of Good Stuff Eatery on M Street at the time, who testified that she was closing the business’ patio area when she saw Boothe walk by the restaurant and stand on a corner of M Street. She did not know the victim’s name but said she recognized him as a previous customer.

She testified that moments later she heard a gunshot, turned around, witnessed Boothe fall into the street, and a person walking away on 33rd Street. The witness added that she did not see the shooter’s face but that he was a male wearing a black jacket.

“I was in shock,” said the witness.

The prosecution called another witness, a friend of Reynolds and Boothe, who frequently visited the smoke shop where they both worked. The day of the incident, the witness spent time at the shop. “We were just hanging out, it was a normal day,” she said.

According to the witness, a verbal exchange occurred between Reynolds and Boothe inside the shop that escalated into a physical altercation. She explained that she attempted to diffuse the situation before leaving because the fight upset her.

When the witness returned, Reynolds and Boothe were gone, but she noticed small amounts of blood in the doorway and a shattered countertop. The witness said she and the other individuals in the shop collectively cleaned it, left together, and did not hear the shooting.

The trial is scheduled to resume on April 22.

‘I Handed Her the Food and I Never Saw Her Again,’ Surviving Gunshot Victim Testifies About Neighbor’s Death

A six co-defendant homicide, mass shooting trial continued before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on April 21.

William Johnson-Lee, 22, Erwin Dubose, 30, Kamar Queen, 27, and Damonta Thompson, 28, are charged with conspiracy, two counts of premeditated first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and three counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting that claimed the lives of 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner.

Dubose, Queen, and Johnson-Lee each have nine additional counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Queen and Thompson each gave one additional count of first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, and Johnson-Lee has two more counts on the same charge. Dubose, Queen, and Thompson also additionally charged with one or more counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

Dubose and Queen are also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and Dubose faces additional charges of premeditated first-degree murder while armed and tampering with physical evidence. Finally, Queen and Johnson-Lee each have an additional charge of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021, and left three others suffering from injuries.

Toyia Johnson, 52, and Mussay Rezene, 32, are charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in assisting the other defendants get rid of the evidence and avoiding arrest for the crime.

During the hearing, prosecutors called on one of the surviving victims who lives on Longfellow Street, and shared that he had just grilled salmon and given a plate to a female neighbor, Dyson, whom he referred to as “Netta”

“I handed her the food, and I never saw her again,” he recalled of her murder.

According to the witness, he heard what he thought were gunshots, saw everyone ducking down and he took cover following their lead. He testified he suffered a gunshot wound to his leg, and spent the night in the hospital.

This witness was subpoenaed to testify for the grand jury, did not respond, and was arrested and held for seven days. According to the witness, that resulted in losing his job–something the defense mentioned in their cross examination to raise doubt about the organizational approach and efficiency of the prosecution.

Multiple Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers testified about their experiences after arriving at the scene and handling the injuries and scattered evidence along Longfellow Street. The prosecution called a former sergeant, who stated that the scene was “extremely challenging” to manage.

During the cross examination, defense attorneys Michael Bruckheim, Peter Fayne, and Brian McDaniel raised doubt about the integrity of the investigation, mentioning the number of civilians that walked through the large crime scene seemingly uncontrolled. The defense claimed MPD failed to properly create a perimeter around the scene.

The prosecution also called three MPD officers to share their narratives of the crime scene and responses to victims’ injuries. One officer testified he treated a victim’s right leg with a gunshot wound, applying a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Another officer testified to his role of blocking off the crime scene in an effort to ensure no bystanders entered or exited. The final MPD officer was from a K-9 unit, and he testified he located different pieces of evidence after the shooting.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene April 22.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Fatal Shooting

April 10, 2025

(Washington, DC) – The Metropolitan Police Department announces the arrest of a suspect involved in a fatal shooting in Southeast.

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at approximately 2:25 p.m., Seventh District officers responded to the 3500 block of 6th Street, Southeast, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult female, unconscious and not breathing, suffering gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene, and after all lifesaving measures failed, the victim was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as a 25-year-old Taeje Butler of Southeast, DC.

Seventh District officers arrested the suspect on the scene without incident. As a result of the detectives’ investigation, 25-year-old Josiah Garrison of Southeast, DC, was charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed. The investigation revealed the offense was domestic in nature.

Document: Police Arrest Second Suspect in Northwest Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a second suspect in connection with a shooting on March 29 on the 1200 block of 7th Street, NW.

A teenage male was found with serious injuries and transported to a hospital.

On April 23, 17-year-old Ka’raun Foster was arrested and charged as an adult with Assault with Intent to Kill (Gun).

A 15-year-old male was previously arrested on April 21 for the same charge.

Document: Police Seek Suspect in Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a stabbing incident that occurred on April 22 in the 500 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

The victim, an adult male, was found conscious with non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital.

Surveillance footage captured the suspect, and the MPD is urging anyone with information to come forward.

Document: MPD Searching for Suspects in an Unarmed Carjacking

Nov. 26, 2024, MPD Searching for Suspects in an Unarmed Carjacking (Washington, DC) – The Metropolitan Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in locating two suspects involved in an unarmed carjacking that occurred in Northwest. On Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at approximately 11:17 p.m., two suspects approached the victim while in the 1900 block of 14th Street, NW. The victim stated the suspects attacked him, stole his property and vehicle before fleeing the scene. The victim was not injured during the incident. The suspects were captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in photos and video surveillance footage.

Anyone who can identify these suspects or has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District of Columbia.

Document: Police Investigate Homicide at Knox Place

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on April 22 on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE.

The victim, identified as 22-year-old Dar’Juan McRoy, was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. The case remains under investigation.

Document: Police Investigate Fatal Crash on 295

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on April 22 on the northbound lanes of DC-295 near the Pennsylvania Avenue exit.

The victim, identified as 47-year-old Edward Pearson of Southeast, DC, was struck by a red 2005 Chrysler Sebring and subsequently by a 2013 Toyota Avalon after exiting a 2017 GMC Sierra to secure a loose truck bed cover.

Both drivers involved remained at the scene, and the Chrysler’s occupants were treated for minor injuries.

Murder Defendant Accused of Tampering and Abetting Rejects Plea Offer

A defendant accused of tampering with evidence and assisting in a homicide rejected a plea offer in front of DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on April 18.

Nichelle Thomas is facing 16 charges, including accessory after the fact second-degree murder while armed, six counts of tampering with physical evidence, three counts of misdemeanor credit card fraud, threat to kidnap or injure a person, threat to injure a person, and four counts of obstruction of justice. These charges stem from her alleged involvement in the murder of 42-year-old Anthony Jordan. The incident occurred on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE, on Aug. 4, 2023.

Thomas’ boyfriend, Lewis Jones, is allegedly the person who stabbed Jordan and has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a prohibited weapon, six counts of tampering with physical evidence, and obstructing justice.

Thomas’ attorney, Alvin Thomas, announced her decision to reject the prosecution’s plea offer in that Thomas would plead guilty to accessory after the fact of second-degree murder, one count of obstruction of justice, one count of simple assault, and one count of sexual abuse misdemeanor. In exchange, the prosecution would consolidate the other felony concurrent cases against her and dismiss the 17 other pending charges against her, including misdemeanors and a felony count.

Jones’ attorney, David Knight, stated that Jones was requesting new counsel.

However, after a conversation with all parties that occurred under seal, Knight and Jones stated they would continue to work together.

Parties are slated to reconvene on June 13.

Carjacking Defendant’s Motion to Overturn Conviction Denied

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied a carjacking defendant’s motion to overturn his conviction based on ineffective representation on April 18.

Marquise Lucas, 26, was convicted of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, unarmed carjacking, and three counts of armed robbery with an imitation pistol, for his involvement in an incident that occurred on the 900 block of Florida Avenue, NW on Feb. 12, 2015. He appeared remotely from a federal Bureau of Prisons (BoP) facility.

According to court documents, Lucas was engaged in a robbery and carjacking of a BMW at a gas station. The stolen vehicle was pursued by officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) before it collided with another vehicle and those involved were detained.

Lucas was sentenced to 14 years of incarceration in December 2015.

Lucas filed a motion to vacate his conviction on Dec. 3, 2023. He alleged that his Public Defender Service (PDS) trial counsel, Michael Carter, is related to one of the victims in the 2015 carjacking and was, therefore, ineffective in representing him.

Lucas’ current attorney, Andrew Ain, argued, in addition, Lucas’ prior defense team failed to order a timely psychological evaluation, despite his documented history of mental health struggles.

Ain called on a former junior counsel lawyer, leshaah Murphy, who defended Lucas, to testify. Murphy explained that had she been aware of Lucas’ previous suicide attempts earlier, she would have sought an evaluation sooner. She only learned of the issue a few months before sentencing, which, she argued, left insufficient for an accurate assessment.

Ain asserted this oversight in documentation constituted ineffective representation, as critical information was present in Lucas’ mental health records but overlooked by his previous attorneys. Furthermore, Ain stated that the absence of a psychological evaluation at sentencing disadvantaged the court.

Judge Kravitz, however, found that Lucas’ former counsel’s performance was not deficient. He acknowledged that although the defense’s actions were “imperfect,” they requested a psychological evaluation and worked with the resources they had.

No further dates have been set for this matter.

Domestic Stabbing Defendant Ruled Incompetent to Stand Trial For Murder

A stabbing defendant accused of killing his grandmother was found mentally incompetent to stand trial by DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on April 21.

Christopher Holness, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of his grandmother, Sandra Mundle, 83. The stabbing occurred on the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW, on Jan. 17.

According to court documents, while escorting Holness to the hospital, officers observed him making statements such as “She had to die,” and “She was a sacrifice.”

According to a report by the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), there is a “substantial probability” that Holness will make progress in the near future.yu Both parties agreed to keep the preliminary hearing scheduled in May, and requested another mental observation hearing for June.

Judge Kravitz ordered Holness be detained at St. Elizabeths Hospital as he receives treatment and works towards restoring competency. In order to stand trail, a defendant must have the mental ability to understand the charges against him and take part in his own defense.

Parties are slated to reconvene May 21.

Judge Allows Disputed Search, Identification Homicide Evidence

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied defense motions to suppress identification evidence in a homicide case on April 22.

Robert Carpenter, 36, is charged with second-degree 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 shooting of 42-year-old Tremaine Nicholson. The incident occurred on the 3400 block of 25th Street, SE, on May 7, 2024.

Carpenter’s lawyers, Christen Philips and David Knight, filed a motion arguing that evidence police found in his truck shouldn’t be admitted because the police searched it without a warrant.

On April 11, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that they searched the truck only after a police dog signaled that there was a gun inside. He also stated that Carpenter was free to leave but chose not to.

The prosecution argued that the canine sweep was legal as the truck was parked in a public location. They added that the police had well founded suspicion that the truck was connected to the incident as it was allegedly observed leaving the scene.

Knight stated that Carpenter was handcuffed immediately after being stopped and wasn’t able to drive away. He added that there was no basis for the search as police originally thought the gun was elsewhere and the decision to search the truck was an afterthought.

Knight further argued that police attempted to interrogate Carpenter before the search of his truck hoping he would say something incriminating. He said probable cause should have been established before arresting Carpenter. Additionally, Knight stated that Carpenter was held was too long and the police should have been able to complete the search faster.

The prosecution responded that police had an obligation to determine the ownership of the truck and determine the suspect’s identify in surveillance footage–a process that was ongoing.

Judge Park ultimately agreed with the prosecution and denied the motion to suppress the evidence found in the truck.

Philips also argued that a witness’ identification of Carpenter should be excluded because the identification procedures used were unduly suggestive. She said that the witness initially identified a different person in the surveillance footage of the incident.

However, during grand jury testimony, the witness was questioned about his relationship with Carpenter, shown photos of Carpenter’s vehicle, and in surveillance footage where he was seen entering and leaving the vehicle. Philips argued these actions implicitly and explicitly communicated to the witness that the prosecution wanted them to identify the individual as Carpenter.

Philips further stated that the prosecution’s case for the witness’s reliable identification rests on knowing Carpenter. However, it does not mitigate concerns about the suggestive nature of the identification procedure.

The prosecution argued that the witness’ identification was a result of a careful and measured review of the evidence. They stated that the witness knew Carpenter and that the initial identification was made based on a low-quality cellphone photo.

Judge Park found that, while the defense proved the presence of suggestivity, the prosecution succeeded in proving the reliability of the identification. He reasoned that several factors, including the witness’ opportunity to observe the defendant, the controlled grand jury setting, the degree of attention paid by the witness, and more contribute to the reliability.

Parties are expected to reconvene on April 24.

Defense Challenges Motive of Key Witness in Murder Closing

The prosecution claimed a “blizzard” of evidence proves Bernard Eddy‘s guilt in a homicide case, while the defense said the case rested on a single unreliable witness during closing arguments before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on April 21.

Eddy, 25, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside his home or place of business. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the shooting of 16-year-old Steffen Brathwaite on Sept. 10, 2019, on the 3000 block of 24th Place, SE.

Brathwaite was murdered a few minutes past midnight as he was walking to a friend’s house. Police heard gunshots and ran to the scene, where they discovered Brathwaite on the ground in a pool of blood.

Brathwaite was killed by five gunshot wounds from behind. Two of the shots were angled upwards, which indicated Brathwaite was already on the ground when they struck him, according to the prosecution.

The prosecution argued Eddy killed Brathwaite because he believed Brathwaite was one of the killers of Eddy’s friend, Gerald Watson, who was murdered the year before.

Only four hours before Brathwaite was shot, Eddy created an image on his phone that superimposed the words, “Missing you like crazy,” over a photo of Watson.

“Steffen Brathwaite had the right to be tried in this courtroom like the defendant here today,” the prosecutor told the jury. “One man can’t decide who is guilty. That is for a jury.”

Eddy and Watson lived in the Langston neighborhood, which has a history of conflict with the Hartford neighborhood next door, where Brathwaite lived.

“Who had the motive [to kill Brathwaite]?” the prosecution asked the jury. “I think the defense and the [prosecution] would agree on this: pretty much everyone in the Langston neighborhood.”

Julie Swaney, Eddy’s defense attorney, did not agree. She stated the prosecution didn’t provide evidence to show Eddy or anyone else in Langston attributed Watson’s shooting to Brathwaite.

“Nothing tells us that Bernard Eddy was so upset and angry that he committed revenge for Gerald Watson’s murder,” Swaney told the jury. .

The prosecution showed a video from Eddy’s phone from hours after Brathwaite’s murder, in which he mimed a shooting, took a draw on a blunt, and said, “Smoking Steff pack.” Witnesses testified at trial that the expression is a way of celebrating someone’s death by pretending to smoke the person’s remains.

Swaney argued this video wasn’t evidence of Eddy’s guilt. He didn’t need direct experience of the killing to know Brathwaite had been shot, since he could have heard about the police investigation from other people in the neighborhood.

“His teenage antics are not a reason to convict him of first-degree premeditated murder,” Swaney argued.

About seven months after Brathwaite’s death, in an unrelated investigation, police seized a Ruger SR9C handgun. A toolmark and firearms examiner determined that the cartridge casings found around Brathwaite’s body could have been shot by that Ruger.

Swaney pointed out that the toolmark and firearms examiner couldn’t determine with certainty that the Ruger was the one used in Brathwaite’s shooting. Swaney said another witness testified that police frequently find Rugers at crime scene investigations.

The prosecution displayed a video of Eddy’s from less than an hour after Brathwaite’s death, saying “Ruger” while revealing a gun magazine sticking out of his waistband. The magazine resembled the one in the Ruger recovered by police.

Swaney argued the video doesn’t show a gun, only a magazine, and that magazine isn’t distinctive enough to prove it’s the same one police recovered.

“There is nothing unique about what was sticking out of Mr. Eddy’s waistband,” Swaney said.

The afternoon following the shooting, a rapper visiting from Chicago posed for photos with Eddy while holding a gun similar to the Ruger police later recovered. At trial, the rapper testified that someone in the group lent him the gun for the photos.

Swaney said the rapper’s description of the person who handed him the Ruger for the photographs didn’t match Eddy. According to Swaney, it matched a man who appeared in another video on Eddy’s phone, and that man had a motive to attack Brathwaite because Brathwaite earlier fired a gun at his car.

Surveillance video footage on the night of the incident showed Eddy getting picked up by a vehicle five minutes before the shooting. One of the other people in the vehicle testified against Eddy and received a plea deal on numerous charges for gun possession and shootings in exchange for his cooperation with police.

The witness testified that their vehicle drove past Brathwaite and Eddy said, “That’s a body,” indicating Brathwaite was a potential “kill.” The witness said Eddy instructed the driver to circle back around,” and drop him off. According to the witness, he heard gunshots while Eddy was out of sight, and then Eddy returned to the car.

Swaney pointed out that the witness initially claimed in a police interview not to know Braithwaite or Eddy. He didn’t testify against Eddy until after Eddy had been arrested and, according to Swaney, the witness knew what evidence the police had against Eddy.

“What does he do? He makes the story fit,” Swaney said about the witness.

Swaney stated the witness changed his testimony about what Eddy said when he returned to the car. At the grand jury, the witness testified that Eddy said, “I think I got him.” Shortly before the trial, he testified that Eddy said, “I hit him.” At the trial itself, he testified that Eddy didn’t say anything.

The prosecution argued that the witness was frightened to testify at trial because of fear of retribution. The witness expressed concerns that people in the gallery were photographing him during the trial, according to the prosecution.

“Why go through all that, if it wasn’t true?” the prosecutor asked.

The prosecutor said the witness could have attributed Brathwaite’s shooting to someone who had been shot and killed since then, if he wanted to lie in order to receive the benefit of a plea deal without becoming a target of revenge.

Swaney said the prosecution wouldn’t have offered a plea deal if the witness hadn’t provided evidence against someone living.

“What evidence has the [prosecution] really shown you about Mr. Eddy’s guilt in this case?” Swaney asked the jury. “The witness who came in here and talked over three days, he has significant motivation to fabricate his testimony for the [prosecution].”

“You must not turn one tragedy into two and wrongly convict Bernard Eddy of Steffen [Brathwaite]’s murder,” Swaney said.

The prosecution pointed out that justice equally goes awry when a jury fails to convict a defendant in spite of evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to convict them.

“That is also a tragedy,” the prosecutor said.

After Judge Ryan instructed the jury, they began deliberations.

Parties will next convene when the jury returns a verdict.

Document: Police Arrest and Charge Teen Suspect for Shooting Another Teen

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a 15-year-old male suspect in connection with a shooting on April 21.

The incident involved a teenage male victim who was found on March 29 on the 1200 block of 7th Street, NW conscious with a gunshot wound and transported to a hospital with serious injuries.

The suspect has been charged with Assault With Intent To Kill (Gun).

Medical Examiner Says Victim Sustained Deadly Head Injury

The prosecution called multiple witnesses to testify in a homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on April 22.

The prosecution called a medical examiner who performed the autopsy of Boothe to determine the cause and manner of his death. The examiner testified that Boothe suffered a gunshot to his head and the bullet entered through his left eye and exited through the right-back area of his head.

She further said that there was stippling found on Boothe’s face which indicates that the gun was within 36 inches of him. The examiner explained that stippling is abrasions caused by unburnt gun powder and looks like red dots on the skin.

Prosecutors also called bystanders who were stopped at the traffic intersection where Boothe was shot, and called 911. They testified that they were waiting at a red light when they heard a popping sound.

They also stated that they saw someone fall to the ground and a second person briskly turn the corner onto 33rd Street. One of the witnesses said she saw the second person holding a firearm as he walked up the street.

The prosecution then called the owner of a store that is near the scene, and he testified that he provided surveillance footage from his security cameras to the police. He said they capture the front door and anything happening outside the front of the store.

The prosecution also called on a woman, who testified that she formerly had a sexual relationship with Reynolds, also known as “Jay”. She said that she would drive him to work and book hotel rooms for the two of them but that he would always pay her back. The witness testified that she had booked a trip to Miami, Florida with him but he asked her to cancel the trip at the end of January.

The prosecution walked the witness through screenshots of text messages between her and Reynolds. These messages were about his hand, which was injured, and the cancellation of their trip to Miami. Shortly after the cancellation, the messages turned green which, according to the witness, indicates that Reynolds either got a new phone or blocked her. She said that she drove him to work on Jan. 31 but didn’t receive any further communication from him after.

Parties are expected to reconvene on April 23.