Stabbing Defendant Sentenced, Faces Possible Deportation

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld sentenced a defendant to 36 months of incarceration for his involvement in a stabbing during a hearing on March 4.

On Oct. 4, 2024, Jose Garcia Fuentes, 43, was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for a stabbing incident that occurred on April 4, 2024 on the 4400 block of 14th Street, NW.

During the hearing, prosecutors described how Garcia Fuentes entered a place of business and suddenly attacked a patron, prompting the business owner to step in and try to remove him. During the struggle, Fuentes stabbed the victim, leaving wounds on his face and hands.

In court, prosecutors read the victim’s statement, which described the lasting trauma from the attack. “My life has completely changed. I am unable to live my life peacefully. The only thing left for me is to thank the justice system,” the victim said.

Prosecutors pushed for a 60-month sentence, arguing that the violent nature of the attack vindicated it. They emphasized that the attack was unprovoked and that Garcia Fuentes displayed extreme aggression. They also pointed out that there was no evidence showing the defendant suffered any injuries, reinforcing their argument that the use of force was unexplainable.

Garcia Fuentes’ defense attorney, Henry Escoto, argued that the defendant had no intentions of assaulting an individual and only acted in self-defense during the incident. According to Escoto, three individuals pushed Jose outside which caused him to react. Escoto highlighted the victim’s failure to complain about his serious injuries in his statement.

Escoto also explained that Garcia Fuentes is not a US citizen, which deprived him from receiving medical treatment for a gunshot wound to his leg at the jail. Escoto insisted that a high-end sentencing would add on to the already lengthy process of deportation after his release.

“I think this is an unfair case. What they tried to do was really bad,” Garcia Fuentes told Judge Hertzfeld.

Nonetheless, Garcia Fuentes was sentenced to 36 months of incarceration for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge, and 90 days for the simple assault, with sentences running concurrently. He is also required to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF)

No further dates were set.

DNA, GPS Monitor Said to Place Homicide Defendant at Crime Scene

Multiple witnesses, including a forensic data analyst, testified before a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park’s courtroom on March 10.

Nyjell Outler, 22, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the murder of Demetris Johnson, 21, on March 20, 2021 on the unit block of Madison Street, NE at a gender reveal party. The incident also left another victim injured in both legs. All charges face an aggravating factor of allegedly being committed during Outler’s release in another matter.

The forensic analyst testified that DNA testing on a backpack and drum magazine found at the scene indicated Outler was more than likely a contributor among four individuals detected.

The prosecution also called on a medical examiner who conducted Johnson’s autopsy report. The witness confirmed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the back, and the manner of death a homicide.

Outler’s Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer, who ensured he was compliant with release conditions in his other case, told the jury that he was alerted of a GPS monitor strap tamper on the night of the incident, along with multiple critical battery alerts. The witness stated he spoke to Outler weekly, and attempted to reach him through contacting his mother and girlfriend that night but was unable to.

An expert witness called on by the prosecution also confirmed that Outler’s GPS location was pinged on Madison Street, NE and North Capitol Street at the time of the shooting, allegedly placing him at the scene.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 11.

Co-Defendants in Non-Fatal Shooting Case Seek Release Modifications

A status hearing was held in front of DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 7 to discuss pre-trial release conditions for two non-fatal shooting co-defendants.

Jonah Harris, 47, and Gerald Jones-Hall, 24, are charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery while armed, conspiracy to commit robbery while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, seven counts of 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 their alleged involvement in the shooting and attempted robbery of two victims at the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE, on July 10, 2023. Both victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

All parties confirmed availability for a trial date in late September 2026.

Harris’ defense attorney, Christen Philips, requested a modification to his nighttime curfew, arguing it interfered with potential employment opportunities. The judge agreed to allow exceptions for verified employment, but ruled that Harris must remain on GPS monitoring.

Jones-Hall’s defense attorney, Janai Reed, sought termination of his GPS monitoring and curfew, also citing conflicts with possible employment, but mentioned her confusion over a bond change motion issued prior to the hearing.

Reed argued that Jones-Hall’s curfew required him to leave work early, creating compliance issues. A March 5 report noted minor non-compliance, but the court acknowledged that the violations were tied to employment conflicts and had already been addressed internally with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Judge Ryan ruled that Jones-Hall’s curfew would be extended to 10 p. m., bringing it in line with standard conditions, but denied the removal of GPS monitoring. The court stated that verified employment with PSA could allow for the same curfew flexibility granted to Harris.

Parties are slated to reconvene July 11.

Homicide Defendant Appears in Court After Bench Warrant, Pleads Not Guilty

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman issued a bench warrant for a defendant after she failed to appear in court on March 7 – and quashed the warrant when she appeared and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Christian Borden, 35, is charged with first-degree felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children with grave risk for her alleged involvement in the death of her five-month-old child, Kenneth Walton, on Feb. 11, 2023, on the 4000 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

According to court documents, Walton died on Feb. 16, 2023, at Georgetown University Hospital from injuries that were consistent with inflicted head trauma. He had been suffering from non-accidental trauma.

Borden originally failed to appear in court for a scheduled hearing. In response, the court issued an extraditable no bond bench warrant for her arrest.

Despite the earlier no-show, Borden later appeared, and was arraigned on the charges. Borden pleaded not guilty.

Borden was ordered to take a drug test and released with limitations.

Parties are slated to reconvene April 11.

Fatal Stabbing Defendant Waives DNA Testing for All But Murder Weapon

A stabbing defendant partially asserted his right to independently test DNA before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on March 7.

George Syndor, 45, is charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed that was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel committed during release, burglary while armed offense was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel offenses committed during release, and kidnapping while armed offense was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel offenses committed during release for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that killed Christy Bautista, 31, on March 31, 2023, at a hotel on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE.

Syndor’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, informed the court that his client would only assert his right to test DNA evidence for the broken knife allegedly used in the incident. This testing will be independent of the prosecution’s results in the case. Sydnor waived his right to independently test the other pieces of evidence the prosecution is currently testing.

Winograd sent the evidence to a lab of his and Sydnor’s choosing earlier that morning and should have the analysis in 60-to-90 days.

Parties are slated to reconvene to discuss the DNA results on June 13.

Footage, Images From Rap Videos Admitted Into Evidence in Rival Crew Murder Trial

Parties discussed the prosecution’s motion to admit six co-defendant’s prior words and actions suggesting violence in a homicide trial from March 3 to 6 before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz.

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 involvement in the mass shooting that claimed the lives of 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Baxter, 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 have one additional count of first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, and Johnson-Lee has two more counts of the same charge. Dubose, Queen, and Thompson also each have an additional charge of one more counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

Dubose and Queen are each charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, as well. Dubose has 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 in getting rid of the evidence and avoiding getting caught in connection with the case.

The prosecution filed a so-called motion in limine to establish background context and motive regarding evidence of the incident. According to the prosecution, the defendants belong to a ‘rap alliance’ called Tough Real Understanding (TRU), and they are alleged to have longstanding animosity towards another alliance known as Kennedy Street (KDY). Prosecutors sought to use footage, images, and lyrics from rap videos made by the defendants to show the motives behind the homicides.

Six rap music videos were brought forward for consideration by the prosecution: Ask About Me, Freestyle, Running Man, Smoke, War Now, and King of the Jungle. Everyone except Johnson were featured in the videos, and the prosecution looked to admit all of them into evidence against all defendants.

In Ask About Me, the prosecution sought to introduce the video in its entirety, mostly muted but requesting to allow audio where it was necessary. They argued that the video established the close relationship between the defendants and was evidence of their loyalty to each other, which is critical evidence for the motive.

The defense attorneys objected, stating that the video does not reference attempts to commit any offense, they cannot prove the lyrics were sung in that moment, and the evidence was more prejudicial than probative.

Ultimately, Judge Kravitz decided to admit the muted video and allow certain portions of audio, emphasizing the prosecution’s point that the video is relevant to show who is who and the relationship the defendants have with each other. The audio admitted will only be admissible for Queen, as he was the one singing.

Likewise, the prosecution sought to admit Freestyle for the same reasons as Ask About Me. The prosecution also wanted to admit this video muted with certain sections of audio.

The defense dissented, noting the prejudicial and inflammatory characteristics of the video such as a machine gun pointed at the camera, large blunts being smoked, and large wads of cash. Judge Kravitz decided to admit just the introduction to the video, then allowed the prosecution to add in still images of defendants Queen and Rezene pulled from the video.

In Running Man, the prosecution sought to admit several still images of clothing, tattoos, and locations of different neighborhoods. The defense maintained their same objections, requesting that the prosecution remove prejudicial pieces from the images like wads of cash and firearms. Judge Kravitz admitted five still images, agreeing to redact the pieces of the images as requested by defense.

In Smoke, Queen and Rezene rap together for the entire video, making references to their rap alliance called “Drop Squad.” The prosecution sought to admit still shots and clips from the video, arguing that some of the lyrics such as “You see an opp, he gets whacked,” implied a mode of retaliation. The defense maintained their same objections, and requested that items such as joints and middle fingers be redacted from the images. Judge Kravitz admitted three still shots and one video clip, agreeing with the defense to redact prejudicial signals.

For War Now, the prosecution sought to admit the lyrics against Dubose and Rezene for reason of intent and motive for the shooting. One line in particular stated “Mob, Drop Squad, real money getters,” referring to their alliance. The defense strongly disagreed, saying that the title itself is suggestive of war and implies gang activity, which Judge Kravitz previously ruled cannot be discussed in trial.

Additionally, the defense argued that there is an underlying problem with introducing any rap lyrics because it becomes highly prejudicial for the jury. Judge Kravitz admitted a short video clip, and fifteen different still images pulled from the video. He instructed the prosecution to redact all middle fingers, shushing motions, and wads of cash.

The final video that the prosecution requested to admit into evidence was called King of the Jungle. The prosecution wanted to continue to establish the relationship between the co-defendants, to which the defense objected because all of the other videos did exactly that. Judge Kravitz admitted a section of the video with some audio, but redacted the rolling paper for joints, middle fingers, and cash shown in the clip. He also admitted two other clips that showed the location of the filming, and one final clip of Queen and Dubose, where they are seen embracing.

The other section of the Drew Johnson motions about police obtaining evidence dealt with multiple incidents that occurred leading up to the shooting, specifically between TRU and KDY. The prosecution sought to admit five separate incidents into evidence.

The first incident was when Dubose was jumped in jail by members of KDY in April of 2016, causing him to be carried out of the fight on a stretcher. The prosecution sought to admit this incident to demonstrate the deep seeded animosity between the groups, and they were looking to use it as evidence against all six defendants. Michael Bruckheim, Dubose’s attorney, objected, reasoning that the prosecution’s logic was purely speculation. Judge Kravitz ruled this incident admissible only against Dubose.

The second incident that the prosecution sought to admit was in October of 2020 when Rezene was shot in his right leg. The prosecution believed that a member of KDY had shot Rezene, and wanted to admit this into evidence to further demonstrate the animosity between groups. Camille Wagner and Kevin Robertson, Rezene’s attorneys, objected, pointing to the speculation of the prosecution that Rezene somehow knew who shot him. Judge Kravitz initially ruled this inadmissible, however, the prosecution filed a supplemental proffer the next day, changing Kravitz’s mind and ruling the evidence admissible.

The third incident took place in November of 2020, and Queen was shot in his chest. The prosecution sought to admit this because they believed it showed a motive to retaliate. Brian McDaniel, Queen’s attorney, objected, arguing that it was speculative, prejudicial, and not appropriate to admit. Judge Kravitz ruled it inadmissible, worried that the jury could infer bad things about multiple shootings between the two groups.

The fourth incident was a shooting that took place on Aug. 17, 2021, and known KDY members allegedly were involved. The prosecution wanted to admit this as further evidence of animosity between groups, but the defense objected to admitting this incident, arguing that it exhibited unfair prejudice. Judge Kravitz agreed that it shows evidence of hostility, which can be a motive, but did not make a decision yet on this instance.

The fifth and final incident was a rap battle between Dubose and another witness that took place on Instagram live on Aug. 31, 2021. The prosecution had no direct evidence of this feud, but they planned on bringing in Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers who watched it to testify.

They sought to admit the sequence into evidence because they believed it would have contributed to the defendants thinking that KDY was responsible for other shootings in their neighborhood. The defense objected, arguing that the evidence was speculation and there was no direct evidence recovered from the Instagram search warrant. Ultimately, Judge Kravitz excluded this incident from the evidence because it required speculation.

The trial is ongoing.

Homicide Defendant’s Failure to Appear Delays Case

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz ordered a defense attorney to visit his client in person after having to reschedule a status hearing for the fourth time due to the defendant’s failure to appear in court on March 7.

Erin Sheffey, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Kwiyon Maddox, 32, on Aug. 15, 2021, on the 2100 block of 16th Street, SE.

During the hearing, a US Marshal alerted Judge Kravitz that Sheffey refused to get off the transport bus from the DC Jail after claiming he wasn’t feeling well. This is the fourth time since January that the defendant has refused to take part in a proceeding.

The prosecution explained to Judge Kravitz that this hearing would involve plea negotiations and that they would revoke any plea offers if Sheffey refused to appear again. The prosecutor then requested that the judge order US Marshals to use force if he continues to refuse to get off the bus.

Judge Kravitz refused, stating he didn’t believe any extra force was necessary, as it “seems like something else is going on.” He then offered to go and speak to Sheffey himself if the bus was still at the courthouse, but the courtroom clerk informed him it was too late.

Sheffey’s defense attorney, Peter Cooper, said he would visit Sheffey in the next two weeks to “figure out next steps.”

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 28.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Stabbing, Defendant Jailed

A stabbing defendant was denied release by DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum on March 10 after finding probable cause.

Antoinette Anderson, 41, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed for her alleged involvement in a stabbing on Jan. 22 on the 400 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE. One victim was left with injuries to her left shoulder and left arm, including three damaged nerves that caused the loss of sensation in her left hand.

A detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified Anderson had been identified as the suspect through surveillance of the incident and through body-worn camera footage of an incident later that day allegedly involving Anderson. The victim identified Anderson as having attacked her and later placing a false 911 call against the victim.

Anderson’s attorney, Morgan Leigh, questioned why the victim had once changed the identity of the person who she claimed attacked her, stating it was an “Annette Wilson.” The detective replied that it was due to the victim’s fear of retaliation and reluctance to take part in a court case against Anderson.

Judge Hildum ruled the prosecution had met the burden of proof for probable cause.

Leigh requested release on behalf of Anderson, highlighting her need for drug treatment. She also noted that this was the first time Anderson had been charged with a violent crime.

Judge Hildum determined that the evidence, randomness of the attack, and the later false 911 call showed that there could be no release conditions to ensure the community’s safety.

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 31.

Judge Orders Mental Competency Evaluation of a Homicide Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz granted the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) request that a homicide defendant go through a full mental competency evaluation at the DC Jail on March 7.

Dayshawn Nolan, 22, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of Antoinette Davis on July 3, 2022, on the 400 block of Condon Terrace, SE.

The court learned that a doctor from DBH was unable to determine whether Nolan was competent to withstand the July 2026 trial after a virtual competency screening.

Nolan’s defense attorney, Christen Phillips, requested the doctor visit the defendant at the jail for a clearer perspective, and Judge Kravitz agreed.

Phillips also requested to transfer the defendant to St. Elizabeths Psychiatric Hospital for a “calmer” environment in preparation for the second evaluation, but Judge Kravitz declined the request unless Phillips could get a doctor’s formal authorization for the transfer.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 4.

Shooting Co-Defendants Held After Preliminary Hearing

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer testified in a preliminary hearing about a shooting in front of DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 7.

Vance McIlwain , 32, and Kenneth Johnson , 31, are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Nov. 8, 2024, on the 700 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

Johnson is accused of aiding and abetting the offense, while McIlwain is identified as the alleged shooter.

Prosecutors stated they had extended a plea offer, which would require the defendants to plead guilty to aggravated assault while armed in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. Through the deal parties would agree to a ten year sentence. The offer was rejected.

The prosecution presented video footage from a nearby apartment building that allegedly shows two individuals, identified as McIlwain and Johnson, surveying the area before and after the shooting. Additional video clips depict the two allegedly exchanging a firearm inside the building entryway and McIlwain allegedly firing the weapon at the scene.

An officer of the MPD’s Special Mission Unit, testified he arrested the defendants and authored their arrest warrants, and later made in-court identifications. Screenshots from surveillance camera footage were submitted as exhibits that the witness used to confirm the timeline of events.

The witness acknowledged key revisions in his initial report, correcting the number of shell casings recovered as 14 and noting the omission of a bullet fragment found at the scene. He explained that much of his report relied on information relayed to him by responding officers.

During cross-examination, Johnson’s defense attorney Matthew Davies questioned the clarity of the surveillance footage in identifying the firearm being exchanged between the defendants. He emphasized that Johnson was first seen with the firearm only when it was being handed to him and there was no direct footage of where the gun came from prior to the exchange.

Davies also challenged the claim that Johnson knowingly provided the firearm, stating that Johnson handed McIlwain a black bag, which allegedly had the firearm inside, but insisted the footage lacks audio, making it not possible to confirm that Johnson had any prior knowledge the gun was inside or that it would be used in the shooting.

The witness confirmed that officers searched an apartment within the same building where surveillance footage reportedly captured the co-defendants watching the incident location, exchanging a firearm, and entering the unit. Inside, investigators say they recovered narcotics, ammunition, and a firearm part commonly used to modify a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic firearm.

The prosecution argued that Johnson’s actions suggest a consciousness of guilt because video evidence shows him in the searched apartment with changed clothes after the shooting.

Judge Ryan ruled that there is strong probable cause against McIlwain, citing multiple gunshots fired in broad daylight, and determined home confinement was not an option due to public safety concerns.

Judge Ryan noted the weight of evidence against Johnson was more complicated but still significant, referencing Johnson’s prior firearms offenses and a past robbery charge.

Both defendants will remain in custody.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 27.

Prosecution Urges Jury to ‘Use Their Common Sense’ in Shooting Trial

Prosecutors in a nonfatal shooting trial urged that the jury “use their common sense” when deliberating in front of DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on March 10.

Dupre Jones, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, second-degree cruelty to children, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and unlawful discharge of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 4500 block of First Street, SW, on Oct. 11, 2024. A mother and her child were involved but no injuries were reported.

The prosecution recounted the incident. According to the mother’s testimony, on Oct. 11, 2024, Jones allegedly showed up at her house asking for a place to stay then got drunk and proceeded to aim a gun at her face, in front of her child.

Minutes later, according to the prosecutors, the magazine fell out of the gun and the mother was able to kick Jones out of the house. Jones allegedly proceeded to fire the gun in the air with the single bullet left in the chamber, before being arrested across the street.

The prosecution argued that Jones’ actions satisfied the conditions for all five charges. They predicted that the defense may argue that the mother’s testimony was scattered and hard to follow chronologically; however that’s normal in situations where victims of violent crimes have to face their attacker. They stated that despite the nonsequential nature of the testimony, the mother never wavered that Jones put a gun in her face multiple times.

Finally, the prosecution underscored the importance of the physical evidence that corroborates the mother’s testimony such as the shell casing left over from where Jones allegedly shot in the air, a bullet inside her apartment from when the magazine fell out, the location of Jones’ arrest being across the street, the gun allegedly found on Jones, and expert testimony about those shell casings involved in the incident. Lastly, they heavily reiterated that getting drunk is not a defense for violent crimes.

Jones’ attorney, Adgie O’Bryant, brought up the scattered nature of the mother’s testimony and compared it to that of a ‘shotgun’ blast of information. He stated that she never said that Jones aimed the gun at her, only that he was waving it around. O’Bryant aimed finger guns at the prosecution to emphasize his point. He claimed that “some people are more expressive than others” and that Jones was simply being demonstrative, gesturing with the gun in his hand.

O’Bryant also argued that due to the nonsequential nature of the mother’s testimony, the jury can’t know for sure when the magazine dropped out of the gun, therefore Jones could have allegedly been gesturing with an empty gun. He also stated that there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that there was sufficient cruelty to the child, as he did not testify in court.

“Whether he saw a gun for a second or a minute or at all – we don’t know.” He finished by mentioning that the yellow crime scene tape was not applied properly at the scene of the crime.

The prosecution rebutted the defense’s statements about the cruelty to the child, stating that it does not matter what the child felt in the moment, it matters the grave harm he was put in. They also brought up the definition of a firearm, stating that nothing in the statutes states whether or not the gun is loaded matters to the charges. They ended by saying that a gun is not something you use to emphasize a point, and that the jury should use their common sense within deliberation.

Parties will reconvene when the jury reaches a verdict.

Psychologist Declares Shooting Defendant Competent Despite Learning Disability

During a mental observation hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on March 7, a forensic psychologist testified that a shooting defendant is mentally competent, despite the defense presenting evidence of the defendant’s learning disability.

Kevin Harrison, 23, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, for his alleged involvement in a nonfatal shooting on June 26, 2023, on the 2100 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

During the hearing, the prosecution questioned the forensic psychologist who conducted the competency report to testify.

After having spoken with Harrison’s defense attorney, Patrick Nowak, the psychologist testified she looked at screening measures and Harrison’s DC Education records, which helped her conclude that the defendant is competent and may be purposefully suppressing his legal knowledge of the case.

Throughout her interactions with Harrison, she claimed there were times the defendant seemed to know what his case consisted of, but then there would be other times he would respond to questions with “I don’t know” or be muffled.

She noted she understood that Harrison has a learning disability, but it’s minimal evidence of his incompetence as well as minimal relevance on whether or not he can proceed with his case.

According to the psychologist, Harrison’s learning disability doesn’t impede his verbal comprehension, meaning with a little help he would be able to communicate with his attorney and understand the details of his case.

Due to time constraints, the psychologist was unable to conclude her testimony.

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 19.

Shooting Defendant Sentenced to 72 Months of Incarceration

A non-fatal shooting defendant was sentenced to 72 months as a repeat offender before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 7.

On Nov. 22, 2024, Demonte Gibson, 27, was found guilty by jurors for two counts of possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, and obstruction of justice, for his involvement in an armed robbery turned shooting on Dec. 7, 2021, on the 1400 block of Fairmont St NW, where one individual sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Gibson was acquitted of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

The prosecution opposed sentencing under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which would seal his conviction if he successfully completes all sentencing requirements, citing a history of non-compliance in a previous YRA case. Prosecutors argued that Gibson’s repeated firearm possessions reflected a pattern of reckless criminal behavior followed by acts of non-compliance.

Defense attorney Kevann Gardner countered that Gibson had only one prior conviction from nine years ago when he was still a minor. He argued that Gibson’s firearm possession stemmed from his trauma, as he had survived three separate shootings and was fearful for his life.

Gardner emphasized Gibson’s efforts at rehabilitation, noting that he had been incarcerated for two years and was now pursuing careers in barbering and firefighting, and requested the least amount of time possible.

Judge Park ruled that the YRA would not apply, stating that the incidents for which Gibson was found guilty were nearly a year apart and warranted consecutive sentencing. The defense’s claim that the same firearm may have been involved in both cases was dismissed due to the number of weapons recovered.

Gibson was sentenced to 36 months of incarceration for each firearm possession charge, served consecutively, with concurrent 12-month sentences for possession of large-capacity magazines, for a total of 72 months of incarceration. He must also register as a gun offender and pay $300 to the Victims of Violent Crime fund.

No further dates were set.

Stabbing Defendant Competent to Stand Trial

A stabbing defendant faced a mental observation hearing on March 10 before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld, and was ruled mentally competent to stand trial.

Kelly Williams, 52, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred at the intersection of Independence Avenue and L’Enfant Plaza, SW on Jan. 12. One victim was harmed during the incident.

A plea offer was extended by the prosecution in January, in which Williams would plead guilty to one count of aggravated assault while armed. Darryl Daniels, Williams’ attorney, stated they needed additional time to review the deal.

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 27 for a preliminary hearing.

Witness Says Defendant’s, Giving Her, ‘A Hostile Look,’ in Shooting Trial

A testifying witness told a shooting defendant not to “stare at [her],” to “get out of [her] face.” That prompted DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel to remind the witness to remain professional in the courtroom on March 6, but the witness responded she knows when someone is looking at her “with a hostile look.”

Diamond Early, 32, is charged with assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, simple assault, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that left one victim injured in the leg on July 31, 2023 on the 4000 block of Kansas Avenue, NW.

As an eyewitness to the shooting, the victim’s sister testified she and her sister confronted Early after hearing that she may have “put her hands on three of the kids” while she and the victim were at a grocery store nearby.

After confronting Early about hitting the children, the victim’s sister testified that Early laughed the situation off “like it was all a joke.” After that, she claimed that Early pulled out a gun and shot her sister in the leg.

After the witness got off the stand, the prosecution displayed security footage for the jury that depicted several children running, some screams, and inaudible conversations.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 10.

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