Suspect Says Victim ‘Antagonized’ Him Questioning Third Time Plea

A stabbing defendant said his actions were justified while disputing a plea deal for the third time before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on March 6.

Corey Bridges, 31, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, tampering with physical evidence, and threatening to kidnap or injure a person. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 1400 block of Morse Street, NE on June 7, 2025, which left one victim injured with multiple lacerations to his neck.

The prosecution presented the terms of an agreement that would require Bridges to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, in exchange for the prosecution dismissing all other charges.

According to court records, Bridges started accepting this agreement on Jan. 2 and again on Feb. 6, but requested more clarity on the details of the agreement from his defense attorney, Molly Bunke.

At the hearing, Bridges said he was “satisfied to a degree” with Bunke’s work on the case so far, but was frustrated at how long it took to appear in court again. Judge Kravitz confirmed with Bridges that this situation did not affect his desire to enter the plea, and Bridges said he was “just ready to put forth the plea offer.”

The prosecution presented their factual basis for the plea agreement, saying they had evidence that would prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Bridges deliberately stabbed the victim in the neck and caused a serious, life-threatening injury with no legal justification for his actions.

When questioned by Judge Kravitz and Bunke about these facts, Bridges said that his actions were justified because he was “antagonized” by the victim, who he was living at a transitional home with the victim. Bridges said that due to this ongoing dispute, the stabbing was done “rightfully.”

Bunke suggested that Bridges might still be confused about the questions asked due to his not understanding some of the legal terminology, and requested additional time to speak with her client about how to move forward with the plea agreement. Judge Kravitz agreed and passed the case until a later time in the day, during which Bunke said she would waive Bridges’ appearance and request another hearing be scheduled to continue with this matter.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 11.

Defendant Was a Domestic Violence Victim, Defense Claims

The defense claimed on March 6 a stabbing defendant was a victim, not the aggressor in an incident before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe.

Thelma Speed, 32, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in connection to her alleged involvement in the stabbing of a man on the 200 block of 51st Street, NE on Feb. 6, 2026. The man sustained injuries to both his hands and his forearm.

According to court documents, the man told police the stabbing occurred after a verbal argument with Speed. He said he fled to a neighbor’s apartment in the same building until police arrived on scene.

In court, Speed’s attorney, Darryl Daniels, requested the defendant be released. Daniels argued that she was actually a victim of domestic violence, not the aggressor in the situation, although their relationship was not clear.

“You can’t see it now, but she had a shiner on her eye,” Daniels said about Speed.

Judge Pipe reminded the parties that Speed had reported to officers that the lacerations on her face had nothing to do with the incident. Speed also has a history of assault charges in New Jersey and the facts of this case present her conduct as “very concerning,” Judge Pipe said.

When denying her release, Judge Pipe said “there are no conditions or combination of conditions” that could warrant releasing Speed and ensuring the safety of the community.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 30.

Defendant Accepts a Plea Deal for 2020 Murder

A defendant accepted a plea deal for a 2020 homicide before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on March 6.

Taiyonne Goggins, 28, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed for his involvement in a shooting at the 1600 block of W Street, SE on Oct. 9, 2020, that killed Yisa Jeffcoat, 28. Jeffcoat sustained a single gunshot wound to his chest.

At the hearing, Goggins’ attorney, Wole Falodun, confirmed toJudge Ryan that his client accepted a plea deal from prosecutors. The agreement required Goggins to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to not seek an indictment with additional charges and limit their sentence to eight-to-nine years of imprisonment, subject to Judge Ryan’s approval at sentencing. Goggins must also register as a gun offender in DC.

The prosecutors said that if the case had proceeded to trial, they would have proven that Goggins exited a car with two other armed individuals and fired into a crowd of people in a residential area. There was no legal justification for Goggins’ actions.

Judge Ryan questioned Goggins to ensure that he knowingly and willingly pleaded guilty.

Goggins’ sentencing hearing is set for June 5.

‘I had to Fight Back,’ Attempted Carjacking Victim’s Daughter Said

DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel sentenced an attempted carjacking defendant on March 6 to one year in prison and two years of supervised probation following his release.

John Gainey, 52, accepted a plea deal for assault with intent to commit robbery and unauthorized use of a vehicle on Dec. 17, 2025 stemming from an incident that occurred on the 2000 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE on Aug. 30, 2025. Gainey assaulted the victim while attempting to carjack them. The daughter and husband of the victim were able to pin him down for police officers.

Judge Israel imposed a sentence of three years incarceration, suspending all but one year for the assault charge. In addition, Judge Israel sentenced Gainey to one year incarceration, suspending all time, for the unauthorized vehicle charge. After Gainey is released he will serve two years on supervised probation.

Friday, the prosecution began with two victim impact statements given by the victim and her daughter.

The victim’s daughter, who pinned Gainey down during the incident, recalled that Gainey did not look like a threat at first. The victim’s daughter stated she reacted when she saw her mother looking visibly upset.

“[I] did not want to become another statistic.” stated the victim’s daughter during her statement. “I had to fight back.”

The victim’s daughter ended her statement by stating that she felt helpless to moderate her mother’s continuing fear.

The victim, also gave a statement. She was visibly upset while giving her statement in court, and was hesitant to give a statement in front of Gainey.

She recalled the day that the incident happened, stating that she was giving out food to homeless individuals when the incident occurred. The victim stated she was unable to leave her house for a while or sleep following the incident.

Prosecution asked for Gainey to be sentenced to three years of incarceration for the assault charge and two years of incarceration for the unauthorized use charge. The period of incarceration is to be followed by a period of two years supervised probation.

Gainey’s defense attorney, Sellano Simmons, called up Gainey’s daughter for a character statement and noted that seven character letters had been sent in from family and friends on Gainey’s behalf.

Gainey’s daughter was crying while on the stand, upset by her father’s actions that led him here. She stated that her mother, Gainey’s wife, passed away a couple years ago and Gainey used drugs a couple times to cope with the loss.

“This is not who he is.” Gainey’s daughter stated as she ended her statement.

Simmons argued for a sentence of two years incarceration, suspending all but time served for the assault charge and six months, all suspended for the unauthorized use charge. Upon release Gainey would begin a period of two years on supervised probation.

That based on Gainey’s lack of a criminal record and the fact that he committed this crime while on PCP, a hallucinogenic drug that can cause aggressive behavior.

Gainey apologized to his family for putting them through this and to the victim for his actions.

No further dates have been set.

Defendant Accused of Father’s Stabbing Can See His Family on Conditional Probation

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz modified a domestic violence stabbing defendant’s probation conditions to allow him to see his family in a hearing on March 6.

On Sept. 15, 2022, Gabriel Esquina, 23, was sentenced to five years in prison with all but four suspended, followed by probation for aggravated assault knowingly while armed. The sentence stemmed from his involvement in a stabbing on Jan. 26, 2022 on the 2800 block of Myrtle Avenue, NE. The incident left Esquina’s father injured.

At the hearing, parties addressed Esquina’s recent violation of a stay-away order imposed by Judge Kravitz as part of his probation conditions. The prosecution requested a revocation of Esquina’s probation, and that he serve one year in prison as a consequence of the violation.

Esquina’s attorney, Henry Escoto, told Judge Kravitz that the violation, which involved Esquina going to his parents’ house, began as a consensual interaction after was invited. However, something occurred while Esquina was there that led to his parents calling the police.

Escoto said that because the interaction began consensually and Esquina’s parents expressed interest in maintaining contact with Esquina, his probation should not be revoked.

Parties also noted that Esquina was currently serving a 120 day sentence at the DC Jail for a separate matter in DC.

After assessing the arguments presented by the parties, Judge Kravitz said that Esquina had “already been punished” with his sentence in the other matter. In addition, Judge Kravitz acknowledged the unique circumstances surrounding Esquina’s probation violation.

In accordance with suggestions from both parties, Judge Kravitz ruled to modify the conditions of Esquina’s probation so that he could see his parents and talk to them, but was not allowed to be at their home, and would have to meet them elsewhere if they wanted an in-person interaction.

No further hearings were set.

Carjacking Co-Defendants Request Separate Trials

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur heard requests for severance in a three co-defendant carjacking case on Feb. 26.

Omari Dantignac, 20, Ion Cooper, 21, and Javard Harris, 22, are charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in two incidents that took place on the 1700 block of Bay Street, SE and on the 900 block of 3rd Street, NE on Dec. 1, 2023.

Cooper’s attorney, Thomas Healy, argued for Cooper’s case to be severed from his co-defendants due to the fact that Dantignac and Harris are requesting DNA testing in this case and Cooper is not. Healy asserted that his client is ready for trial and was already held for a significant amount of time. According to court records, Cooper has been incarcerated since the case was filed on Dec. 2, 2023.

Harris’ attorney, Santia McLaurin, stated that she also wanted her client’s case to be severed in order for time for DNA testing to be done.

Dantignac’s attorney, Molly Bunke, requested a new trial date as well regarding DNA testing. Dantignac is not held in this case.

Judge Arthur stated that he would not rule on severance requests at this hearing, and will convert the current trial date on April 8. into a status hearing to discuss these motions further.

The prosecution opposed severing the cases so that the defendants can go to trial together, noting that it would be difficult for the victims to testify more than once if the cases were separated.

Healy also asked for Cooper’s release with home confinement. He explained that Cooper has a place to live with his mother and wants to continue his education.

The prosecution requested that Cooper remain held due to the facts of the case, describing him as the “getaway driver” in the carjacking spree. Judge Arthur agreed that the facts of the case were serious enough to maintain Cooper’s detention.

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 20.

Judge Denies Suspect’s Transfer to Juvenile Court in Union Station Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied the defense’s request on March 5 to transfer a shooting case from adult to juvenile court after the case was dismissed for lack of probable cause.

A 17-year-old juvenile defendant was originally charged with assault with intent to murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to his alleged involvement in a shooting at Union Station at the unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE on Feb. 6. There was one victim, a juvenile, who sustained a gunshot wound to his ankle.

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

According to court documents, a witness reported seeing a large group of individuals engaging in an argument. At some point in the argument, a member backed out of the group, pulled a black firearm from his waistband, and fired three rounds.

Two individuals from the group were reportedly seen fleeing and hid behind planters by the sidewalk, one was allegedly the defendant. When the two individuals were detained by police, the defendant allegedly told a detective that he simply heard gunshots and ran.

At the preliminary hearing on March 2, the defendant’s attorney, Terrence Austin, argued his client acted in self-defense after the victim punched him twice in the head.

In court, Austin requested the case be transferred from adult to juvenile court. Judge Kravitz failed to find probable cause for assault with intent to murder and dismissed the case without prejudice in that hearing meaning the prosecution could refile if new evidence arises.

The prosecution objected to Austin’s request then spoke to Judge Kravitz under the husher without the defense.

Judge Kravitz denied Austin’s motion after a confidential conversation with prosecutors. Additionally, Judge Kravitz said he would not transfer the case without a request from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) which handles most juvenile cases.

Since the case was dismissed without prejudice, Judge Kravitz’s denial of Austin’s motion means the defendant can be tried as an adult if prosecutors refile the case.

After Judge Kravitz’s decision, Austin requested the prosecution cease their search and seizure of the defendant’s cell phone and return the device to him since the case was dismissed.

The prosecution argued the cell phone seizure and case dismissal are separate events and should not be conflated.

Judge Kravitz instructed the prosecution to pause their search of the defendant’s phone until Austin could file a motion regarding the cell phone seizure.

No further dates were set as of March 5.

Judge Denies Release for 2019 Homicide Defendant Despite Maryland Case Dismissal

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied releasing a homicide defendant who argued that a related Maryland case tied to his arrest had been dismissed on March 6.

Alonzo Brown, 29, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Michael Taylor, 21, on Jan. 12, 2019 on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.

According to court documents, investigators reportedly identified Brown as a suspect through a photo identification procedure, and evidence recovered during searches included ammunition and firearm-related items linked to the homicide investigation.

At the hearing, Brown’s attorney, Steven Kiersh, argued that Judge Park should not consider Brown’s arrest in Maryland because the case was dismissed after a judge ruled the pat down that led to the firearm recovery violated the Fourth Amendment protection against illegal search and seizure.

Kiersh likened the dismissal to a “not guilty” verdict and said Brown already spent approximately four years detained because of that arrest. He also argued Brown was previously on release in the DC case without significant issues complying with release conditions. However, Judge Park noted Brown had problems meeting curfew requirements.

The prosecution opposed the release motion. Prosecutors argued that Brown was not fully compliant while on release and emphasized that he was allegedly rrested in Maryland with a firearm while facing a homicide case in DC.

They also cited the seriousness of the homicide charges and argued that no combination of release conditions would sufficiently protect the community.

Judge Park denied the motion for release. He stated that probable cause had been found for the Maryland case before its dismissal and said the material evidence remained the same. Brown allegedly possessed a firearm while on release in a homicide case, even though the Maryland case was later dismissed, said the judge.

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 27.

Witness Waffles Over Shooting Suspect’s Demand for Money

Prosecutors introduced video evidence of a witness allegedly saying she heard a shooting defendant demand money from the victim before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 5.

Derrick Gladden, 55, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that injured one victim on April 15, 2024 on the 2300 block of Marion Barry Avenue, SE. The victim sustained one gunshot wound.

The victim’s former girlfriend and Gladden’s neighbor testified to hearing one gunshot from her apartment the afternoon of the shooting.

The prosecution presented video clips from police body-worn camera footage in which the victim’s former girlfriend said “I heard Derrick say ‘you’re gonna give me my money.’” However, the witness said she did not remember saying that due to increasing memory problems.

Gladden’s attorney, Alvin Thomas, pointed out that in the victim’s former girlfriend testimony to the grand jury, she did not mention hearing a conversation before the gunshot.

The witness said she knew Gladden since he was a child, and would most likely recognize his voice.

Thomas also asked the victim’s former girlfriend about an incident in which the victim attempted to take knives from her apartment to confront someone. Thomas asked if it was potentially Gladden. The witness said she remembered this happening less than a month before the shooting, but cannot remember who the victim planned a confrontation.

She clarified to prosecutors that to her knowledge the victim did not usually carry weapons.

The victim’s former girlfriend also said that the victim suffered from severe brain cancer at the time of the shooting.

Another witness called by the prosecution lived across the hall from Gladden and his mother in the apartment complex where the incident occurred. The prosecutors questioned the neighbor on photos and videos of Gladden leaving the apartment that he was staying in at the time of the incident. The neighbor identified Gladden said to be the man shown on his Ring camera and the man in the courtroom.

The prosecution also called an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to confirm the presence of physical evidence allegedly founed in Gladden’s apartment, including various types of ammunition, firearm accessories, and a handgun holster.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 6 to discuss evidence, the jury is scheduled to return March 9.

‘I’m An Innocent Man,’ Shooting Defendant Claims Frustrated With Lawyer

A shooting defendant proclaimed his innocence and expressed frustration with his counsel in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on March 6.

Mario Kirksey, 36, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that injured one victim on the 1300 block of Okie Street, NE on Feb. 28, 2024.

At the hearing, before parties addressed the matter of appointing new counsel for Kirksey, and he asked for the prosecution’s contact information and said, “I’m not being treated fairly.”

“I’m an innocent man, nobody’s fighting for my justice,” Kirksey said, frustrated by his belief that he did not have a defense attorney that would “fight for [him].”

Kirksey’s newly appointed defense attorney, Kevin O’Sullivan, said he had only recently been notified of his appointment to this case, and would work to meet with Kirksey as soon as possible to get caught up.

Kirksey also said he did not want to delay the trial past the currently scheduled date of June 29, but Judge Kravitz told him that if he wanted new counsel, he would have to accept a delay. If Kirksey wanted to keep the current date, he would have to keep his current attorney, Terrence Austin, said Judge Kravitz.

Kirksey reiterated his request for the prosecution’s contact information and said he wanted to write to them about what he’s experiencing. Judge Kravitz advised against this and suggested that Kirksey meet with O’Sullivan before deciding whether he wanted to reach out to the prosecution. The judge encouraged Kirksey to keep an “open mind” until he could meet with O’Sullivan.

Throughout the hearing, Kirksey spoke over Judge Kravitz about his frustrations, and had to be removed from the courtroom by US Marshals until he was willing to cooperate. Later O’Sullivan said on Kirksey’s behalf that he did not mean any harm, and that he was “just going through a lot.”

Judge Kravitz reiterated that Kirksey needed to make a decision about which counsel and which trial date he wanted, and said he expected an update on the matter by the next hearing.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 17.

Jail Schooling Delays Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz delayed sentencing for a homicide defendant so that he could finish high school at the DC Jail in a hearing on March 6.

On April 24, 2025, Caleb Padilla, 20, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Damion Hill on Dec. 30, 2024 on the 1800 block of Benning Road, NE.

According to court records, Padilla is in school at the DC Jail, which allows his sentencing to be delayed following the plea agreement.

At the hearing, Padilla’s defense attorney, Molly Bunke, as well as a special education attorney from the Public Defender Service (PDS), Nakisha Winston, reported that Padilla was doing well in school and is set to graduate in July, although an exact date was not confirmed.

Upon suggestion from the prosecution, Judge Kravitz set another hearing on Padilla’s progress in school before they proceed with sentencing.

Parties are slated to reconvene on May 22.

Judge Questions Legality of Prosecutors’ Cell Phone Search

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz challenged prosecutors on the admissibility of cell phone data during a motions hearing on March 4.

Jaime Macedo, 24, is charged with robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, felony murder while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson, which occurred on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE, on July 5, 2023.

Parties argued a motion to suppress cell phone data that was collected from Macedo’s iPhone using an allegedly invalid warrant. During the hearing, prosecutors argued that the signed warrant gave police the authority to search data on Macedo’s phone by attempting to establish probable cause.

The prosecution stated that it wanted to find information regarding his relationship with Emerson, as well as anyone else involved in the incident. Prosecutors were also hoping to use GPS data from the phone to prove that Macedo was likely on the scene during the incident.

Since the defendant is allegedly seen holding and using his phone before, during, and after the shooting, prosecutors said police have probable cause to search the data on Macedo’s phone.

According to Judge Kravitz, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who had written the warrant in question had previously failed to get the warrant signed, only succeeding after making minor changes and asking a different judge for a signature.

Judge Kravitz stated that it appears the detective didn’t put much effort into the warrant and was using the same template when drafting different warrants; “cherry picking” information.

These deficiencies, according to the judge, call into question the validity of the search warrant, which could have been signed by mistake.

Throughout the hearing, parties discussed the impact of the “Burns decision,” a 2020 DC Court of Appeals ruling that narrows the scope of police interpretations of judicial warrants in regard to searching cell phone data.

On rebuttal, defense attorney Jessica Willis claimed that the prosecution was restrained by Burns which held, “Mr. Burns’s convictions therefore must be reversed unless they were ‘surely unattributable’ to the erroneous admission of his cell phone data.”

Parties are scheduled to meet on March 9, where Judge Kravitz will decide whether or not the cell phone data is admissible.

February Homicides See Significant Increase From January

According to D.C. Witness data, there were 10 reported homicide incidents, resulting in eleven victims in February – one of these victims was originally injured in January, but died in February. A significant increase from January’s three intentional killings.

As of March 3, The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has identified three suspects among the 10 incidents. There were seven fatal shootings, one fatal stabbing, and two deaths resulting from a vehicle crash.

Tyjuan Bazemore, 35, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Nyesha Walden-Hatcher on Feb. 2 on the 3100 block of 16th Street, NW.

Additionally, Jose Perez, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 37-year-old John Despertt on Feb. 5 on the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue, NW.

According to court documents, Perez allegedly stabbed Despertt in the chest inside Miriam’s Kitchen at Western Presbyterian Church. Perez is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March. 30.

On Feb. 11, a murder-suicide occured when Stephon Jeter, 35, fatally shot 34-year-old Rayven Edwards before killing himself on the 4100 block of W Street, NW. A 10-year-old juvenile also sustained gunshot wounds.

According to MPD, Jeter fled the scene with his and Edwards’ three-year-old son and an AMBER Alert was issued. Jeter then dropped his son off at a family member’s residence and MPD found Jeter dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

MPD is currently offering a reward for information on the unsolved cases.

February 2026 Homicides in Washington, DC (Symbol map)

Judge Sentences Repeat Shooter, Says, ‘Lucky’ No One Was Killed

A repeat offender in a non-fatal shooting was sentenced by DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on March 5 after accepting a plea deal.

Thomas Carter, 27, was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence due to his involvement in the non-fatal shooting of an unidentified victim on the 2300 block of Washington Place NE on Sept. 24, 2025. This is Carter’s third firearm conviction.

Carter should be lucky “no one was hurt or even killed,” Judge Arthur said. He sentenced Carter to three-and-a-half years plus three years supervised release for the assault charge, and 20 months plus three years supervised release for the possession charge. Additionally, the defendant will be registered as a firearm offender in DC for two years after his supervised release ends. All convictions will be served concurrently.

In December, Carter pleaded guilty to both assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to seek indictments on any other charges relating to the incident.

At sentencing, prosecutors asked Judge Arthur to impose a harsh sentence due to Carter’s criminal record. Additionally, prosecutors highlighted the violent nature of Carter’s actions, firing off 21 rounds in a street lined with businesses and passing cars.

The prosecution requested that the defendant receive 44 months with three years of supervised release for the assault charge, and 20 months with three years of supervised release for the possession charge.

Defense attorney Justin Okezie didn’t offer excuses for the defendant’s actions, calling them “very concerning.” However, he stated there was context for what Carter did. He felt threatened by a man with whom he had previously been in conflict, Ozezie said.

Okezie claimed that in instances where the police are not present to protect citizens, people can feel compelled to protect themselves, however necessary.

According to Okezie, Carter was “extremely remorseful” about the events and never intended to hurt any innocent bystanders.

The defense asked for the lowest range of sentencing possible under the voluntary guidelines.

Carter chose not to comment before the judge made the sentencing decision.

Murder Defendant Won’t Leave Bus to Attend Hearing

US Marshals alerted DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz that a murder defendant arrived at the courthouse but refused to leave the bus for his hearing on March 5.

Jeremiah Evans, 22, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Khalliqo Ford at the 200 block of K Street, SW on June 15, 2023.

According to court documents, Ford was found in a parking lot and died from multiple gunshot wounds. Two witnesses reported that the shooting happened after a dispute among themselves, Evans, and Ford. The witnesses said they watched Evans pull Ford into a parking lot, indicated in court documents. CCTV surveillance footage reportedly captured what appeared to be an argument between Evans and Ford, resulting in Evans allegedly raising his weapon and shooting Ford multiple times.

In court, the parties intended to discuss with Evans his concerns about his lawyer, Stephen LoGerfo, and whether he wanted new representation. However, US Marshals informed the court that Evans wouldn’t enter the courthouse.

Judge Kravitz noted that defendant’s refusals to attend court had become more frequent in his courtroom. LoGerfo agreed, suggesting that the early wake-up call for defendants traveling from the jail might be a deterrent.

LoGerfo said Evans told him at their last meeting, “Please don’t make me come to court.”

According to LoGerfo, Evans did not express a desire for him to withdraw as counsel. Judge Kravitz emphasized that Evans needed to be present and convey the information himselfd.

The parties intend to resolve the issue when Evans is present at court.

Parties are slated to reconvene on March 11.