Another Change of Attorney Casts Shooting Plea in Doubt

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan delayed sentencing a shooting defendant on June 19 because of conflicts with his attorney.

Michael Grayton, 42, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Danzell Hall, 26, on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE on July 12, 2025.

Initially set for May 23, sentencing was delayed due to changes in Grayton’s legal counsel.

In the status hearing, Grayton’s latest attorney, Andrew Ain, recused himself from the case, citing time conflicts with other ongoing trials. Further, Ain mentioned an unspecified conflict of interest with the Public Defender Service (PDS) that requiring him to withdraw from the case.

The PDS assigned attorney and co-counsel to Ain, Rachel Cicurel, agreed to recuse herself. In light of the legal turmoil, and the prosecution asked if Grayton intended to withdraw his guilty plea claiming repeated delays had been prejudicial to their case.

Due to the significant changes in Grayton’s defense team as well as the conditions of the initial plea, Judge Ruffinan said it was appropriate for sentencing to be delayed to get Grayton’s new attorney, Dan Kovler, up to speed over the objections of the prosecution. Kovler is not a PDS attorney but a member of a group of lawyers subsidiized by the court to work with indigent clients.

Judge Ruffinan agreed to expedite the status hearing on June 23.

Mental State of Defendant in 2019 Stabbing Still in Doubt

After a report deemed a stabbing defendant incompetent, DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe decided to move him to a mental hospital in hopes his competency can be restored during a hearing on June 17.

On Nov. 29, 2022, Allen Shorter, 58, was convicted and sentenced to 36 months, with 18 suspended, of imprisonment for assault with significant bodily injury and carrying a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Oct. 6, 2019, on a Metro bus between Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Blue Plains Drive, SW.

According to a police account of the incident, Shorter, also known as “snake eyes,” stabbed the victim four or five times on the face, shoulders and chest. A witness said that shorter appeared highly intoxicated when he got on the bus and started arguing with another passenger. As the dispute continued, a witness threw a juice can at Shorter. Before Shorter got off the bus he attacked the victim and also threatened to stab a witness.

As part of his sentence and probation Shorter was required to get mental health and substance abuse treatment. Shorter’s case came back on the docket this year for a post-disposition hearing. The case has been ongoing for some six years largely because of Shorter’s fragile mental condition.

In August 2024, the Court Services and Offender Supervising Agency (CSOSA) submitted a memo to the court requesting that Shorter be referred to a behavioral treatment program under an exception given the nature of his crime.

The request was based on a psychiatric assessment that found Shorter, “Bipolar, current episode manic severe with psychotic features…Schizophrenia…Post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic and Mild cognitive impairment of uncertain or unknown etiology. “

And signficantly, “Mr. Shorter appears to have short-term memory and does not know how come he’s on probation.” The memo said that Shorter has been compliant overall and would benefit from the behavioral intervention. To demonstrate mental competency Shorter must be able to understand his legal situation and assist his attorneys arguing the case.

However, Shorter has drifted in and out of competency during several mental evaluations by the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), thus his current status as incompetent. As a result, Judge Iscoe signed on order committing Shorter to inpatient treatment at St. Elizabeths Hospital.

“The Court finds that the defendant’s placement in an inpatient treatment facility is necessary in order to provide appropriate treatment OR that the defendant is unlikely to comply with an order for outpatient treatment,” according to the order.

The belief is that Shorter is likely to be restored to mental competence to complete his probation.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 15.

Defendant Maintains Self-Defense in Fatal Stabbing

A murder defendant testified he acted in self-defense before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on June 16.

Daniel Chapman, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of 43-year-old Antoine Ealey. The incident occurred on July 22, 2023, on the 2300 Block of L’Enfant Square, SE.

According to court documents, Chapman delivered four sharp blows to Ealey’s back, arm, and his upper left shoulder.

Chapman was called to the stand by his defense attorneys David Knight and Gail Engmann. He admitted to using a knife against Ealey but argued he did so in self-defense. Knight had Chapman walk through the events leading up to the incident, using video footage from that day to corroborate Chapman’s claims.

Chapman recalled meeting with his friends in the early morning because a friend from the neighborhood called him. Video is aid to show Chapman and a friend who stayed with him that night meeting another acquaintance in the lobby of his apartment.

Knight asked Chapman to describe the relationship he had with Ealey. Chapman stated he saw Ealey everyday at the bus stop and that they would greet each other there. On the day of the incident, Chapman stated that Ealey was acting differently.

According to Chapman, Ealey began to get angry at Chapman’s friend, claiming Chapman’s friends had stolen his possessions. This allegedly resulted in an argument with Chapman’s friend telling Ealey to leave. Ealey continued to yell and curse at her.

Chapman is supposedly seen in the video telling Ealey to leave while kicking in Ealey’s direction.

When asked about the kick, Chapman claimed he wasn’t trying to hurt Ealey but was only trying to get him to move on. When prompted about how he felt at the time of the argument, Chapman said that he was not scared that Ealey would do anything, he was just annoyed that he was yelling and wasn’t leaving.

The video is said to show Ealey hiding behind Chapman’s cousin who was also friends with Ealey. According to Chapman, his cousin had to tell Ealey to leave. Ealy allegedly picked up his bags and walked away. Chapman was seen following Ealy after he left.

Knight asked Chapman why he followed Ealey to the alley, to which Chapman stated that while Ealey was leaving, he was still cursing and said “next time I see that b**** I am going to kill her.” Chapman explained that he wanted to understand why Ealey was so mad and to get him to leave his friend alone.

Chapman testified he wasn’t planning on doing anything violent, but just wanted to speak to Ealey. Chapman allegedly told Ealey to stop threatening his friend, and began to leave when Ealey grabbed him saying, “How about I kill you instead?”

According to Chapman, the two began fighting, which was captured in surveillance footage. Knight requested Chapman describe the fight. Chapman stated that when Ealey grabbed him, Chapman saw a black object in his hand which Ealey used to strike Chapman in the chest and rib. At the time, Chapman claimed he thought it was a weapon, so he grabbed his knife and swung at Ealey. After the fight ended, both parties quickly left. Chapman stated he did not know Ealey was going to die.

When asked how he felt after the fight, Chapman claimed to be upset and said he was glad it was over. Chapman also said when he told his family about the fight he left out the part about the knife, but later told the police the full story. “The truth should be out,” Chapman stated after being asked why confessed.

The defense shifted their focus to after the fight in which Chapman stated that he felt in pain and that his body was burning. His friend took pictures of Chapman’s chest, which Knight showed in court. A thin scratch and a larger red circular mark were visible on Chapman’s upper chest, while his rib was bandaged. Knight also introduced pictures the defense investigator took after Chapman was arrested where the injuries Chapman sustained to the rib were visible.

Chapman ended his testimony by stating he was sad to hear what happened because he never intended for Ealey to die, and that it hurt because Ealey had been someone he saw everyday.

In cross examination, prosecution questioned Chapman about the knife, which Chapman stated hung on his hip and was visible. Chapman again insisted that he did not mean to hurt Ealy.

The prosecution also brought up the taser that Ealy allegedly pulled on Chapman during the fight. Chapman stated that in the moment, he had no idea what it was, just that it could be a weapon. He also stated that he did not hear the buzzing or light that usually accompany an active taser, nor did he feel a shock, just a burning feeling when he was walking back to the apartment.

The prosecution called on the managing partner and founder of Jaguar Exports, the manufacturer of the stun gun allegedly used by Ealey during the incident. The witness was able to identify the model, voltage, and the lasting effects of the weapon.

The witness identified the stun gun as one manufactured by his company, specifically as a N100 mini stun gun. He stated the taser is “very generic,” and is sold anywhere from Amazon to gas stations.

Prosecution showed the witness several images of the stun gun allegedly used by Ealey. The witness stated that at most, the weapon could cause a person to lose control of their movements for a few seconds. He further noted that the evidence of damage to the metal prongs of the weapon at the time of the incident suggested that Ealy would not have been able to tase anyone to the weapon’s full capacity.

The defense also brought in two investigative specialists from the Public Defenders Service (PDS). The first specialist took photos of Chapman at the jail after the stabbing. In the photos, Chapman had blood splatter and scratches on his chest. The witness also provided photo evidence that showed a more significant injury on the side of Chapman’s chest, below his ribs.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 17.

Miranda Rights Questioned in Cold Case

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective, who interviewed a homicide defendant testified before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan in a hearing on June 12.

William Ransford, 59, is charged with first-degree and second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal strangulation of Debra McManus, 39, at the 400 block of Trenton Street, SE on Oct. 23, 1993.

According to court documents, Ransford was charged with the decades old murder after his DNA was allegedly discovered on the victim’s sock.

The detective not only interviewed the defendant but also had obtained a mouth swab that would later be used to link the defendant’s DNA with the victim’s.

The detective located Ransford at a hospital and although he had already obtained a warrant for Ransford’s DNA swab, he wanted to get consent.

The prosecution asked about procedures the detectives used when interviewing the defendant. He stressed the defendant was not under arrest and that it was just an interview to get more information. Ransford was not Mirandized prior to the interview, however the defendant was made aware that he did not have to consent to the swab.

The detective said asked the defendant whether he had known McManus and that his DNA had probably been found on vaginal and rectal swabs taken from the victim. At the time of the interview, that had not been verified.

Defense attorney Molly Bunke asked the detective if he asked why Ransford was in the hospital and whether he had undergone anesthesia or other medical procedures. The defense played a recording of the interview during which the defendant’s slurred and slow speech suggested he not been fully aware during the interview.

Bunke also said Ransford wasn’t told he did not have to talk to the detectives and that he was free to leave although he was not under arrest The witness asserted that he had just been there to interview him and get information even though he had a warrant.

“If he had said no, we would have executed the warrant,” the detective said when asked about what he would have done if Ransford were to say no to the swab..

Judge Ryan said the prosecution had to show that Ransford’s Miranda rights did not have to be read during the interview and whether the swab was voluntary.

The prosecution argued that the interview did not occur under duress and no reasonable person would believe that he was under arrest in this circumstance–thus reading Miranda rights was not required.

In addition, the prosecution said over the course of the interview, Ransford became more coherent, giving precise answers, which proved he knew what he was saying and doing when he consented to the buccal swab. However, since the detective also had a warrant for the swab so getting material was legal, voluntary or not.

Bunke argued that the test for custody isn’t just arrest and that other circumstances must be considered. They argued that the defendant had not been asked to give the interview and he had just been brought to the room, which could have indicated that he was not free to leave. Bunke referred to past cases in which the court ruled confinement even when the suspect was interviewed in his apartment and was told he wasn’t under arrest.

Bunke suggested that not bringing up the warrant and trying to get Ransford to consent to the swab was subtle coercion and a tactic to put him at ease while eliciting a confession. As a resulted the defense wanted to suppress statements made by Ransford during the interview as well as the DNA evidence from the swab.

The prosecution concluded that as long as there was a warrant the evidence should not be suppressed and that any actions the detectives may have taken, such as trying to put Ransford at ease were not improper tactics.

Judge Ryan stated he is leaning towards the defense but is still unsure about the DNA from the swab and whether it was voluntary or not.

Parties are expected to reconvene June 16.

Shooting Victim Dies, Prosecutors Consider Additional Charges

Prosecutors alerted DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan of their intent to upgrade three defendants’ charges following a shooting victim’s death during a hearing on June 13.

Richard Price, 24, Tyeesha Miller, 29, and Danielle Price, 27 are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, and eight counts of obstruction of justice, for their alleged involvement in a shooting on June 1, 2022, on the 300 block of 56th Street, NE.

During the hearing, the prosecution informed Judge Ryan that the victim had passed and that additional charges were under consideration. The prosecution also requested continuance for extra negotiations and to wait for indictment. The judge granted both requests.

Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 6.

Judge Gives Carjacking Defendant Additional Time To Consider Plea Deal

A carjacking defendant was given additional time to carefully consider his plea deal by DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on June 17.

Eric Woods, 17, is charged with three counts of armed carjacking, three counts of robbery while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on Oct. 11, 2024 at the intersection of North Capitol and O Street, NW.

Woods is tried as an adult under Title 16 which provides the option for certain offenses.

According to court documents, the defendant allegedly attempted to steal a motor vehicle by intimidation using a gun.

Woods was offered a plea deal which consisted of one count of armed carjacking and one count possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. The minimum sentencing guideline for carjacking is 15 years.

After defense attorney Gregg D. Baron reviewed the plea deal, Woods appeared conflicted and confused about the terms.

Because of its complexity Judge Salerno believed it was best for Woods to carefully evalature the content, particularly since Woods is so young.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 30.

Defendant in Homicide Case Released Despite New Arrest

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied the prosecution’s request to detain a defendant allegedly connected to a homicide, despite his arrest in a new case, during a hearing on June 17.

Rashod Dunbar, 26, is charged with accessory after the fact for his alleged involvement in facilitating a homicide suspect in a shooting that occurred on Feb. 9, 2022 on the 500 block of Division Avenue, NE.

Dunbar allegedly helped Dion Lee, 24, after the fatal shooting of Pamela Thomas, 54, by providing Lee a change of clothes near the 500 block of 50th Place, NE to help Lee disguise.

According to the parties, Dunbar is currently on release, but has failed multiple drugs tests and had other noncompliance issues, including a rearrest.

The prosecution motioned to have Dunbar detained due to his non-compliance.

Instead, Judge Park told Dunbar he will be in 24 hour home confinement, with exceptions to Dunbar’s work schedule which he must prove to the court.

The next hearing is slated for Oct. 3.

Defendant Rejects Plea Deal in Stabbing Dispute With Neighbor

A stabbing defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on June 16.

Roshawn Petway, 39, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that injured an individual on April 22 on the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE.

According to court documents, the incident stemmed from a drunken disagreement between Petway and a neighbor.

During the hearing, Lisbeth Sapirstein, Petway’s attorney, alerted Judge Salerno that the prosecution had extended a plea deal, which Petway intended to reject.

According to Sapirstein, the plea deal would require Petway to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

Sapirstein also asked the court to modify Petway’s stay away order from her two young daughters ho need their mother. However, Judge Salerno denied the motion on the basis that Petway’s release posed a threat to the community.

Parties are set to reconvene on Sept. 3.

Shooting Defendant Considered Mentally Incompetent Despite Previous Finding

A shooting defendant is still considered mentally incompetent to stand trial following a proceeding before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on June 13. That in spite of an earlier finding to the contrary.

Kevin Harrison, 24, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or place of business for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on June 26, 2023, on the 2100 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. No injuries were reported.

In a previous hearing, the prosecution called a psychologist from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) who conducted a competency evaluation on Harrison, and stated that Harrison had a learning disability that did not affect his ability to understand, which does not create competency concerns. In order to stand trial a defendant must have the mental capacity to understand his legal situation and help his attorney argue the case.

Patrick Nowak, Harrison’s defense attorney, insisted that the psychologist “grossly misstated” Harrison’s mental status and “grossly mischaracterized” the definition of a learning disability.

Judge Pipe agreed with the defense, and deemed Harrison incompetent to stand trial.

During the follow up mental health the prosecution and defense were waiting on another evaluation regarding Harrison’s mental competence or restoration of competence. However, the mental health expert had not reported to the court at the time of the hearing, meaning Harrison is still considered incompetent until proven otherwise.

The next hearing is slated to occur on July 2.

Defendant Threatened With Jail Time For Violating Release Conditions

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park admonished a murder defendant for violating his release conditions during a hearing on June 17.

Josiah Garrison, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, 25-year-old Taeje Butler, on April 9 on the 3500 block of 6th Street, SE.

According to court documents, the incident stemmed from Butler allegedly accusing Garrison of infidelity.

During the hearing, the judge alerted the parties that a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) had reported that Garrison, who has been in home confinement since April 29, had failed to comply with his release conditions.

Garrison is currently detained in 24 hour home confinement and violated the order by leaving his home for “five minutes”. The PSA officer managing Garrison’s case stated that he has had a few instances of non-compliance in the past, but has been in good compliance aside from these incidents.

Judge Park told Garrison that in this particular case he must be perfectly compliant or “any violation puts me in a situation to lock you up.”

The next hearing is slated to occur on July 25.

Murder Co-Defendants Accept Plea Deal

Two homicide co-defendants pleaded guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman during a hearing on June 18.

Antoine Tucker, 31, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed, attempted robbery while armed, attempted robbery while armed, three counts of three counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Vernon Harrison on June 22, 2022, on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

Nakia Pearson, 31, was originally charged with accessory after the fact while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and tampering with physical evidence. The charges stemmed from her alleged involvement in assisting Tucker with his crime.

Tucker’s defense attorney, Terrance Austin, and Pearson’s attorney, Peter Odom, informed Judge Edelman that both defendants agreed to plea deals with prosecutors.

Tucker pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed with an agreed-upon sentence range of nine-and-a-half-to-12 years of incarceration.

Pearson pleaded guilty to attempting to carry a pistol without a license with an agreed-upon sentence range of up to 180 days of incarceration.

Judge Edelman accepted Tucker and Pearson’s guilty pleas.

Parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing on Sept. 5.

Domestic Shooting Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing, Denied Release

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond denied the defense’s request to release a defendant in a non-fatal domestic shooting case during a June 13 hearing, after waiving a preliminary hearing.

Bernard King, 40, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a domestic shooting on June 7 on the 1900 block of 18th Street, SE.

According to court documents, the shooting victim was with King’s children’s mother.

King’s defense attorney, Karen Minor, alerted Judge Raymond of his intent to waive his right to a preliminary hearing and proceed to trial.

The prosecution requested that King continue held throughout the case because, they argued, he has a dated yet serious criminal history and there are no conditions of release that would ensure the safety of the community.

Minor asked Judge Raymond to release him with electronic monitoring because he has no prior bench warrants, his prior convictions are old and he can live away from the victim and he has a job.

Nonetheless, Judge Raymond ruled that King did pose a safety threat and that he be held for trial.

In addition to being detained, Judge Raymond also ordered that going forward King stay away from the victim.

Parties are set to reconvene on July 1.

Judge Releases Murder Defendant with GPS Monitoring

DC Superior Court Judge Neil Kravitz ruled that a murder defendant will be released with GPS monitoring at a status hearing on June 13.

Nichelle Thomas, 26, is charged with accessory after the fact to 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 helping her boyfriend, Lewis Jones, 28, with the murder of 42-year-old Anthony Jordan. The incident occurred on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE, on Aug. 4, 2023.

The prosecution noted that the defendant had been rearrested on two new charges, a sexual misdemeanor and assault with a dangerous weapon. Thomas’ defense, Alvin Thomas, responded that these cases against Thomas have been dismissed.

Under his release conditions, Judge Kravitz ruled that Thomas’ previous stay away order will stay in effect. She will also require drug monitoring for PCP.

The next status hearing is scheduled for July 11.

Judge Finds Probable Cause, Denies Release For Carjacking Suspect, ‘Acting Erratically’

After hearing arguments and evidence in a carjacking, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld found probable cause to move forward with the case and detain the defendant in a hearing on June 16.

Rashad Ricks is charged with unarmed carjacking and destruction of property less than $1000 for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on May 20 at the Hard Rock Cafe on the 900 block of E Street, NW.

According to court documents, Ricks was observed acting erratically before approaching the victim’s vehicle and forcing the victim out of her car. After failing to put the vehicle into gear, Ricks exited the vehicle and entered the nearby Hard Rock Cafe, where he allegedly flipped a table.

During the hearing, prosecutors called on the officer who responded to the scene and arrested Ricks. He provided an in-court identification of Ricks, and testified he wrote down the victim’s statement in which she claimed the suspect was “acting erratically” and moving toward her vehicle before forcing himself into her car.

In collecting additional statements, the officer claimed that witnesses in the restaurant stated that the suspect was screaming and flipping tables there. According to the officer, witnesses claimed the suspect was removed from the restaurant and detained before the officer was able to arrive on the scene and arrest Ricks. Following the arrest, the complainant positively identified Ricks as the suspect.

Varsha Govindaraju, Ricks’ attorney, presented arguments against a probable cause finding, arguing that due to Ricks’ erratic behavior he was mentally incapable of commiting the crime. Govindaraju also argued that the prosecution lacked evidence for the destruction of property charge, since restaurant witnesses stated on body-camera footage that Ricks was actually not flipping tables.

Judge Hertzfeld ruled that the evidence in the case was sufficient to establish probable cause.

The prosecution argued in favor of holding Ricks pre-trial, citing that he was in violation of supervised release conditions at the time of the incident, faced serious previous charges, tested positive for cocaine and PCP, and involved a pregnant woman in the incident.

Govindaraju argued in favor of releasing Ricks on GPS monitoring and while getting substance use treatment, with the alternative of bed-to-bed treatment at a secure facility. Govindaraju noted Ricks’ ongoing cognitive issues stemming from his involvement in a serious car accident.

Citing the defendant’s violation of supervised release at the time of the incident, Judge Hertzfeld denied Ricks’ release.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 27.

Fleet Manager ID’s Defendant Said to Rent Car Used in Mass Shooting

A fleet manager for the stolen car the prosecution says was used in a mass shooting testified before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on June 16.

Erwin Dubose, 31, Kamar Queen, 28, Damonta Thompson, 28, and William Johnson-Lee, 22, are charged with conspiracy, premeditated first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting that killed 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021, and injured three additional individuals.

Mussay Rezene, 32, and Toyia Johnson, 53, are charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in assisting the other defendants discard evidence and avoid arrests.

A former fleet manager at Zap Car Rental, the agency that provided the car said to be used used in the shooting and later reported stolen by Johnson, took the stand. He testified that in a fleet of about 50 to 60 cars, the rental company only had one black Honda Accord. The car was verified in a photo and video evidence.

The manager also confirmed prosecutors’ evidence of a rental contract for two cars in Johnson’s name, the second of which was the Accord. In testimony, it was explained the manager met Johnson when she initially rented the car and was present the day she came in to report it stolen. It was noted rental cars cars are tracked with a GPS device.

However, in cross-examination, it was revealed that the detectives on the case were told that GPS data isn’t necessarily accurate.

An investigative analyst in the homicide section of the US Attorney’s Office created a presentation summarizing findings from subpoenas on Instagram account records, media, and texts. The accounts were authenticated and tied to verified emails and phone numbers. However, concerns were raised that the full context of the messages was lacking.

Thompson’s defense attorney, Elizabeth Weller, argued that a lack of evidence is simply a lack of evidence.

Judge Kravitz agreed and warned the parties not to make unsubstiantiated comments about the absence of certain Instagram evidence. He stated that evidence should be treated as if it doesn’t exist and should not be charactized.

The court went through part of one of the two summary slideshows. This one contains a timeline of photos and videos from posts and stories tied to accounts of interest in the investigation, labeled with the timestamp and account. The media displayed defendants together.

The prosecution presented a timeline of media posts and accounts from May to September of 2021 allegedly tying the defendants together.. Judge Kravitz made a point to emphasize to the jury that words and symbols used in the media were admissible only to prove emotion and the state of the person who posted them.

A deputy medical examiner at the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that all three victims from the mass shooting died of fatal gunshot wounds in a manner of homicide. The witness determined that Joyner had four gunshot wounds, Braxton had one gunshot wound, and Dyson had three gunshot wounds and one graze wound. None of the victims could have survived without medical intervention.

Parties were asked to reconvene on June 18.

Search