Case Acquitted: Judge Denies Defense Motion To Dismiss Despite Reluctant Witness

Editor’s Note: Marquis Allen was acquitted of all charges by a jury on April 9, 2026.

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean denied a defense motion to dismiss a shooting case due to prosecutors’ lack of readiness in a trial on March 31.

Marquis Allen, 32, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, and threatening to kidnap or injure a person for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE on Aug. 19, 2025.

Allen allegedly fired one shot at his sister but no injuries were reported.

During the hearing, the parties discussed a non-responsive witness, whom the prosecution assured Judge McLean would show up for the trial.

The prosecution said they issued the witness a subpoena. However, their attempts to contact the person were unsuccessful. Still, they are prepared to move forward with the case at the trial readiness hearing on March 19.

The prosecutors shared photos at the hearing of texts between an investigator and the witness with Allen’s attorney, Shawn Sukumar. The prosecutors claimed that the witness texted them, “tell me when and I’ll be there,” regarding their appearance in court.

However, Sukumar stated that he could not find that language, and instead found a text from them stating they didn’t want anything to do with the trial from early December 2025.

Judge McLean asked prosecutors if they were expecting the witness to show up for the trial despite lack of communication, and if they were relying on the subpoena when they said they were ready to move forward with the trial. The prosecutors did not immediately respond.

The prosecutors told Judge McLean they attempted to contact the witness through two different phone numbers. They stated they called, texted and left messages with no response.

One of the prosecutors told the judge it’s “not uncommon” for witnesses to shun prosecutors but still show up to court.

“This was not raised to me until this morning,” said Judge McLean, admonishing the prosecutors for their unpreparedness. Judge McLean stated that this was an “issue with [prosecutors’] diligence.”

Sukumar requested that the case be dismissed because the prosecutors weren’t ready to proceed. Judge McLean denied the motion, but Sukumar said he would reserve his arguments and do more research regarding the dismissal motion.

Judge McLean delayed the start of trial to the next day, stating she expected both parties to be fully prepared to move forward, and said the prosecutors could argue issuing a warrant for the witness to appear in court. The judge said if prosecutors speak to the witness, they could still appear on their own accord, but if not she would decide if a warrant should be issued.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 1.

Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Deal, Awaits Sentencing

A non-fatal shooting defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on March 30.

Bryant Russell, 48, was originally charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 5000 block of Just Street, NE on June 6, 2024. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to his arm.

During the hearing, Russell’s attorney, Daniel Dorsey, accepted a plea deal on his client’s behalf.

The deal required Russell to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all remaining charges from the indictment and will recommend that the sentences for each charge run concurrently.

According to the sentencing guidelines, assault with intent to kill carries a potential maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment. Unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment as well as a mandatory minimum of one year incarceration.

Had the case gone to trial, the prosecution said they would have been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Russell possessed a firearm despite his prior conviction and shot the victim while he was sitting on his porch after being told to leave.

Parties are slated to reconvene on June 3 for sentencing.

‘There’s A Special Place in Hell for You,’ Homicide Victim’s Father Says at Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park imposed a sentence of 216 months for a homicide following statements from the defendant and victim’s families on March 27. An additional charge tacked on an five more years.

On Jan. 14, Quateze Moore, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Martinez Robinson, 25, on Aug. 23, 2024 on the 1300 block of Girard Street, NW.

Moore’s family and friends initially did not plan to attend the hearing because Moore believed a motion to continue the hearing, filed by the defense, guaranteed it would be rescheduled. So he asked them not to come. After Judge Park denied the motion, Moore’s defense attorney, Peter Odom, contacted Moore’s family and friends and they were able to attend.

The first two impact statements were given by Robinson’s parents.

“[Robinson’s] laughter, his kindness, his future, all of it was taken from us,” Robinson’s mother said, explaining that her son’s death left a “space that cannot be refilled.”

“He deserved to live his life, he deserved to grow old,” Robinson’s mother said. She ended her statement by asking Moore why he committed the offense.

Robinson’s father told Moore, “I can see in your face that you don’t have any remorse for what happened.”

In response to Judge Park’s request for Robinson’s father to direct his statement to the court rather than to Moore, he said, “That’s hard to do, your honor.”

He concluded his statement by telling Moore, “There’s a special place in hell for you, that’s all I have to say.”

Then the prosecution requested 25 years in prison, the maximum in the sentencing guidelines, due to the “alarming” nature of the offense as well as Moore’s criminal history, which included assault with intent to kill and multiple charges related to firearm possession.

Meanwhile, Moore’s friend and cousin also gave statements attesting to Moore’s good personality and the love he has for his family, friends, and community. They asked the court to consider Moore’s positive qualities before imposing a sentence. His cousin’s statement was a written letter read by Moore’s other defense attorney, Shawn Sukumar, which said that Moore was “not defined by a single moment.”

The defense requested that Judge Park impose a sentence that not only reflected the sentencing guidelines, which included a mandatory minimum of four to five years, but also considered Moore’s contribution to society and the struggles he faced in his childhood.

Judge Park imposed a sentence of 18 years for voluntary manslaughter while armed, consecutive with five years for an unrelated drug possession matter.

Moore will also be required to register as a gun offender when released, pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF) and undergo mental health treatment, grief counseling, as well as any programs deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 2 for a post-sentencing review.

Arrested Shooting Defendant’s Whereabouts a Mystery

A defense attorney alerted DC Superior Court Judge Charmetra Jackson Parker on March 30 that a shooting defendant’s current whereabouts were unknown despite being detained.

Paris Wilkerson, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a shooting at the 2300 block of Marion Barry Avenue, SE on Dec. 1, 2025. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a report of gunshots. When interviewed by officers, the victim said Wilkerson reportedly placed a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she did not give him money she apparently owed him.

Wilkerson denied his involvement. He said he had sold drugs to the victim in the past but claimed he had not interacted with her in about six months due to conditions of his probation in another case.

In court, Wilkerson’s attorney, Adam Harris, alerted Judge Parker he was unaware of Wilkerson’s whereabouts despite his being detained March 27 after his arrest. Harris told the court it seemed Wilkerson was in custody, however, Wilkerson was not at the DC Jail when he visited.

The prosecution requested time to figure out the issue and find Wilkerson.

According to court records, a representative from MPD alerted Judge Parker that Wilkerson is currently held in a hospital.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 2.

Wounded Shooting Defendant Again No- Show at Hearing

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean issued a bench warrant on March 30 for a defendant who failed to appear in court to face charges for a shooting in which he was injured.

Deion Hinnant, 31, is charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful discarding of firearms or ammunition, possession of unregistered firearm, unlawful possession ammunition, unlawful possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia for his alleged involvement in a shooting at the 2100 block of Bladensburg Road, NE on April 1, 2024.

According to court documents, Hinnant sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the incident.

Hinnant was released on personal recognisance pending trial on June, 27, 2024.

Hinnant’s attorney, Theodore Shaw, said he had regular contact with Hinnant up until the recent snow storms in January. Hinnant failed to appear at the hearing in preparation for his trial set for April 8.

Additionally, a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) informed the court Hinnant has been a loss of contact since February.

According to the prosecution, a bench warrant was issued on Feb. 3 for his failure to appear in a separate case. They stated this bench warrant is still active.

The prosecution requested Judge McLean order a bench warrant for Hinnant in this case as well. Judge McLean granted this request and vacated the April trial.

There are no further hearings scheduled at this time, parties will reconvene when US Marshals execute the bench warrant.

Homicide Defendant Testifies Telling His Children He Would, ‘Never Leave Them Again’

A homicide defendant chose to testify on his own trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on April 1.

Jaime Macedo, 24, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, attempt to commit robbery while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson on July 5, 2023 on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE. Emerson sustained one gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Judge Kravitz allowed the defense to make a supplemental opening statement. Although parties are typically only allowed one such statement, the prosecution provided Macedo’s attorneys with new surveillance footage on March 27. Since the defense didn’t have this evidence earlier, Judge Kravitz allowed them to present the video to the jury and argue how it supports Macedo.

Macedo’s attorney, Rachel Cicurel, played the surveillance footage of Macedo and Emerson walking alongside each other outside a Starbucks. The two appeared to be talking and relaxed.

“Common sense will show you that this is not a robbery,” Cicurel said.

Macedo’s other attorney, Jessica Willis, called her client to the stand. She began by asking Macedo about his family life, where the jury learned that his father was deported to Mexico when he was in elementary school and that he has two young children.

Macedo said that the morning of the incident, he brought marijuana, two cell phones, and a gun tucked into his compression shorts underneath his jeans. According to Macedo, he brought the gun for protection since he grew up in a rough neighborhood along with the other items to potentially sell marijuana to clients.

“Hey man, I got kids. Can you help me out?” Macedo testified, recalling what he said to Emerson as he was exiting the Brooklyn-CUA Metro station. Macedo said Emerson took out his wallet to prove that there was no cash, then handed Macedo his AirPods. Macedo said that he felt shocked and surprised.

A few seconds later, Macedo said that he called Emerson over to return his AirPods. The two began walking in step together. Macedo started “venting to him” about his troubles financially supporting his children, recently losing his job, and wanting to further his education.

Macedo said he suggested that they find an ATM so that Emerson could give him cash. They began walking toward an ATM that Macedo found on his phone’s GPS. When they arrived, however, there was no ATM.

Macedo testified that Emerson offered to send him money through Cash App. Macedo led the way toward a bench area across the street, where Emerson sat down and Macedo remained standing in front of him. Macedo told Emerson that he has tried to use Cash App before, but he usually had technical difficulties but Emerson wanted to try anyway.

After about 10 minutes, Emerson told Macedo that he had sent him money. Macedo said that his account didn’t appear to have received it. At this point, Macedo said the disagreement changed their cool, relaxed tone.

Macedo said he touched Emerson’s phone in an attempt to see if he truly sent the money. Emerson immediately tackled him to the ground. Macedo said that he was not able to get Emerson off of him, as his head was in between Macedo’s legs, pinning him down. They were wrestling each other until Macedo said he heard the gun tucked in his jeans go off.

“How did this shit just happen?” Macedo said, describing his initial thoughts after Emerson was shot. Macedo said that his hands were nowhere near the gun while they were on the ground and that the gun did not have a safety feature. Macedo said he got up and ran out of panic and shock until he could not run anymore.

Macedo said that his jeans had a hole in the left thigh area, where his gun was concealed. He took off his pants and threw them into the flatbed of a truck to avoid being identified by a police officer and walked home.

“I told them I would never leave them again,” Macedo said, visibly emotional. Macedo thought about a prior promise he made to his children on his way home.

After arriving, Macedo said that he removed his clothes and the shell casings from the gun fell to the floor. There was a hole in his boxers and compression shorts. He flushed the casings down the toilet and put his clothes into a plastic bag.

Macedo checked his Cash App account and said there was 300 dollars at the bottom of his screen, which he cashed. “I have no excuse,” Macedo said, explaining why he did so. “I was freaking out.”

Willis asked Macedo if he ever tried to rob, threaten, or shoot Emerson. Macedo said that he did not.

Macedo opened Instagram a few hours later and saw a post about a homicide near The Catholic University of America that morning. He said that he threw up immediately.

On cross-examination, the prosecution demonstrated, through videos, that prior to the shooting, Emerson’s hands were clearly in the air. In addition, Macedo admitted that immediately following the shooting, he ran away. He also admitted to changing clothes after the incident, “so someone wouldn’t identify me.”

On redirect, Cicurel asked Macedo why he thought Emerson’s hands were up and Macedo inferred it was because he was “coming on too strong” when venting to Emerson about his problems in the conversation prior to the shooting.

The defense also called an investigative specialist from the DC Public Defender Service (PDS) who performed a crime scene visit with the defense where he took a number of photographs. The defense pointed out that there were many emergency poles that, when a button was pressed, would have contacted emergency services to demonstrate that Emerson had the option to press one if he felt in danger.

On cross-examination, the investigator admitted that he did not check the emergency buttons to see if they were functioning and that those pictures were taken at the time of the investigation in March 2026, not at the time of the shooting.

Cicurel, however, clarified that the investigator looked on Google Maps from December 2022 and observed that the emergency poles and buttons were present at that time.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 2.

Jury Selection Proceeds Despite Motion to Dismiss Evidence in Homicide Case

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson rejected the defense’s motion to exclude an interview with a deceased witness in a homicide case on April 1.

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

According to court documents, defense attorney Madalyn Harvey filed a motion to dismiss an interview taken with Redd’s wife, claiming the prosecution did not disclose the information to the defense.

The motion was denied by Judge Dayson on Oct. 24 2025. Harvey filed for a reconsideration on March 30.

At some point between the interview and the beginning of the trial, Redd’s wife passed away, making the information gathered in the interview impossible to review compared to a new interview.

In court, the prosecution opposed the filing for reconsideration and called these claims “outrageous”.

Judge Dayson stated that the interview in question was not necessarily definitive information that would have changed the course of the trial. There was insufficient evidence to support a formal motion alleging a violation of evidence disclosure, she said rejecting the defense request.

The case continued to trial and jury selection.

Parties are set to give opening statements on April 2.

Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty to 126 Counts in Gang-Related Murder, Conspiracy Case

Five co-defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges in a gang-related conspiracy case at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on April 1.

Lashawn Washington, 34, Bjarni Cooper, 31, Tyjuan McNeal, 29, Niquan Odumn, 24, and Deionta Person, 28, are charged with conspiracy for their alleged involvement in criminal activity against a rival crew, “Choppa City,” between Feb. 1, 2023, and Jan. 16, 2026.

Washington, Cooper, and McNeal are charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of felony murder while armed, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of 25-year-old Chyna Crawford. She was last seen on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, NW, on Oct. 23, 2023. Washington is additionally charged with two counts of tampering of physical evidence for her alleged involvement in the same incident.

Prosecutors said Crawford disappeared on Oct. 24, 2023.

Additionally, Cooper is charged with multiple counts of obstruction of justice for allegedly impeding and intimidating a witness with intent to prevent truthful testimony.

Washington, Cooper, McNeal, Odumn, and Person are charged with tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in incidents that occurred citywide between May and December 2023.

Cooper, McNeal, and Person are charged for their alleged involvement in a series of carjackings that occurred in Northwest DC between Oct. 15 and Nov. 1, 2023.

Washington, McNeal, and Person are also charged for their alleged involvement in armed robberies that occurred citywide between Feb. 15, 2023, and April 6, 2023.

McNeal and Odumn face charges for their alleged involvement in a robbery that occurred on May 22, 2023 on the 1000 block of 15th Street, NW.

Cooper, McNeal, and Odumn are charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and other charges for incidents that occurred between May and July 2023.

After the court arraigned all five co-defendantsin the charges against them, and they all pleaded not guilty, defense attorney Andrew Ain asserted McNeal’s Interstate Agreement on Detainers (IAD) rights.

The IAD enables defendants serving sentences in a different jurisdiction than the one where they face charges to go to trial within 180 days of the prosecutors receiving the defendant’s trial request. Defendants may also request not to be returned to their original place of confinement before trial.

The prosecutor said they did not think the case would be able to go to trial within 180 days.

Camille Wagner, Person’s attorney, said Person is not asserting his IAD rights, though he is also serving a sentence outside DC.

The prosecutor said they did not request that any of the defendants transferred to the DC Jail because separation orders for the defendants would complicate their housing.

Person, McNeal, and Odumn are being held outside DC as they serve sentences for unrelated matters, while Washington and Cooper are being held at DC Jail, according to the prosecutor.

Parties are slated to reconvene April 15 to discuss McNeal’s IAD concerns.

‘I Am Greater Than My Worst Mistake,’ Fratricide Defendant Says At Sentencing

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman sentenced a homicide defendant to nine years in prison on March 27 for the fatal shooting of his brother.

Lamar Odoms, 25, pleaded guilty on Nov. 21, 2025 to voluntary manslaughter while armed for his involvement in killing 25-year-old Mark Odoms on Dec. 5, 2024 on the 2700 block of Wade Road, SE. Mark sustained one fatal gunshot wound to his abdomen.

According to court documents, Mark and Lamar were in an altercation before Lamar shot Mark and fled the scene.

“Mark and Lamar were best friends,” the brothers’ older sister said during her victim impact statement. “If you could find one of them, you could find the other.” She explained to Judge Edelman that she didn’t think Lamar intended to kill Mark when they got into the fight.

She asked the judge to be lenient when imposing a sentence, so Lamar could return home. “I just want one of my siblings back,” she pleaded.

The prosecutor argued the proffer of facts in this case belied the evidence. “Putting it bluntly, it’s nonsense,” he said. Having already made an argument in his sentence letter, he asked Judge Edelman to impose a sentence in the mid-range of the sentencing guidelines. Voluntary manslaughter while armed carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.

Michelle Stevens, Lamar’s attorney, asked for the bottom of the sentencing guidelines. “This case is unusual, but it’s just very tragic,” she argued.

According to Stevens, Lamar didn’t intend to cause the death of Mark and is “absolutely shattered that he did.” “The remorse he feels is deep,” she told Judge Edelman, and the burden of killing his brother is never going away.

She explained how Lamar is receiving substance abuse and mental health counseling and is working hard to improve.

Lamar apologized to his family for his actions. He told Judge Edelman, “I am greater than my worst mistake.”

Judge Edelman described the shooting as “senseless,” explaining how a petty dispute turned deadly because Lamar had a firearm on him. This incident was a “terrible, split second decision,” the judge said.

Judge Edelman sentenced Lamar under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which would seal his conviction if he successfully completes all sentencing requirements.

The judge argued sentencing under the YRA would be a “hypothetical benefit” for Lamar at the end of the sentence, but would have no impact on his sentence length.

In addition to the nine year prison term, Lamar must also serve five years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a firearm offender when released, complete 90 hours of community service, and undergo substance abuse and mental health counseling.

No further dates have been set.

Jail Stabbing Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

A jail stabbing defendant pleaded guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on March 30.

Darryl Vest, 22, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a stabbing that took place at the DC Jail at the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on July 12, 2025. The victim sustained a puncture wound to the back of the head.

At the hearing, Vest’s attorney, Susan Ellis, alerted parties that Vest intended to plead guilty. Vest accepted a deal from the prosecutors that required him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and in return, they will not seek an indictment on any other charges.

The prosecution said that if the case had proceeded to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Vest assaulted the victim multiple times with a sharp object while both were incarcerated at the DC Jail. Vest confirmed that the facts of the case were accurate.

Judge Salerno accepted the plea agreement, noting that the maximum penalty for this offense is 10 years imprisonment.

Ellis alerted parties that she will be asking that her client be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA). The YRA is a sentencing alternative for defendants under 25, allowing the possibility for more lenient sentences or to have their convictions sealed upon successful completion of the sentencing requirements.

Parties are slated to reconvene on June 17 for sentencing.

Attorney in Homicide Case Motions For Insanity Defense

A defense attorney in a homicide case will argue the defendant is not guilty by reason of insanity before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on March 27.

Lavaughn Barnes, 35, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death and dismembering of Abdulio Arias-Lopez, 59, on Nov. 4, 2022, on the 1300 block of Kearney Street, NE.

Hannah Claudio, Barnes’ attorney, told prosecutors and Judge Kravitz that they would be filing a motion to ask for the court to find Barnes not guilty by reason of insanity. Claudio will call an expert to testify in support of the insanity defense..

For Judge Kravitz to grant Barnes an acquittal by reason of insanity, he must find that Barnes was unable to understand the wrongfulness of his actions or how they were against the law. Barnes would then be committed to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.

Prosecutors said they were unaware of these findings and they requested that Claudio share the name of the defense expert.

Judge Kravitz said he believes that motions in the case could “be very difficult.”

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 28.

Judge Says Shooting Defendant Wanting to Represent Himself is, ‘Still Not a Lawyer’

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ordered a shooting defendant to undergo a mental competency evaluation before allowing him to represent himself in the case on March 30.

Christopher Wise, 36, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, carrying a pistol without a license outside home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

These counts stem from Wise’s alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 4100 block of Hayes Street, NE on June 10, 2024. The victim sustained nine total entry and exit gunshot wounds.

Judge Brandt stated that picking a trial date has been delayed because Wise wants to represent himself dismissing his attorney, Darryl Daniels.

Before agreeing, Judge Brandt requested the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) do a mental competency to represent oneself evaluation. Even if they determine Wise is competent to represent himself, Judge Brandt insisted that Wise is “not going solo” and will have an advisor at trial as he is “still not a lawyer.”

To stand trial a defendant must show enough mental competence to understand the charges and help his attorney.

While selecting a trial date, Judge Brandt instructed the parties to look at their 2027 calendars. Wise was clearly angered by this delay and Judge Brandt told him that due to the court’s busy schedule, the ”trial will happen in 2027” and “not a moment sooner.”

Prior to trial, parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 6 for a status hearing.

Judge Sentences Homicide Defendant to 19- Years-6 Months For Killing His Friend in Panic

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson sentenced a fatal shooting defendant to 19-and-a-half years on March 27.

Maleek Thomas, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon on Dec. 2, 2025, for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Melvin Dock Jr., 23, on Oct. 30, 2023, on the 4300 block of Halley Terrace, SE. A second victim was also injured in the shooting.

As part of the plea deal, the prosecution agreed to limit their total sentence request to 25 years of incarceration.

“He deserved time, he deserved a future,” Dock’s mother said at Thomas’ sentencing. She told Judge Dayson that her only son’s murder continues to affect her every day. She said that no outcome in the case will bring her son back, or the future he lost.

Dock’s father said he appreciates that Thomas took responsibility for his actions, but that doesn’t take away the pain. “My son didn’t deserve to die,” he said and asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence of 25 years.

The prosecution argued that Thomas has shown no recognition, acknowledgment, or remorse for killing Dock. They said Judge Dayson must take into account deterrence and punishment when deciding the sentence and asked for Thomas to serve 25 years. They argued that if this case had gone to trial, Thomas likely would have received life in prison.

Thomas’ attorney, Howard McEachern, asked for a sentence of 17-and-a-half years. He highlighted that Thomas was 21 at the time of the incident and has no prior convictions for crimes of violence.

McEachern said that Thomas had a three year friendship with Dock, and did not intend to kill him. According to previous hearings, Thomas and Dock were attempting an armed carjacking when Thomas started firing in a panic and hit two victims, unintentionally killing Dock. At sentencing, McEachern said that part of Thomas’s punishment is having to live with the knowledge that he accidentally took his friend’s life.

Thomas spoke directly to the court, saying he takes full responsibility for his actions. He apologized to Dock’s parents and said that he did not mean to kill their son. Thomas said he plans to give back to the community and help the youth upon his release.

Judge Dayson said she believes Thomas is sad and remorseful, but is less convinced that he understands his own culpability. She said that Thomas created a dangerous situation that had a tragic outcome.

She sentenced Thomas to 15-and-a-half years imprisonment for second degree-murder while armed and four years for assault with a dangerous weapon. These sentences will run consecutively, followed by three years supervised release. Thomas will be required to register as a gun offender in DC upon his release.

No further dates were set.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Soup Kitchen Homicide

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan found probable cause and denied the defendant’s release on March 30 in a fatal stabbing that occurred at a soup kitchen.

Jose Sierra Perez, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in killing 37-year-old John Despertt at Miriam’s Kitchen, which provides food and other resources to unhoused and food insecure individuals, on the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue, NW, on Feb. 5. Despertt sustained a fatal stab wound to the chest.

Judge Ryan found probable cause for second-degree murder while armed and said the facts of the case are “sparse” but “more than sufficient” to find probable cause. He said there is no evidence of mitigating circumstances, meaning factors that would lessen the crime’s severity.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who the prosecutors called to testify said multiple witnesses saw Despertt fall to the ground and the suspect walk away. She said one witness saw the suspect carrying an item described as a “short blade.” The detective said a security guard later recovered the weapon, which was a “multi-tool” with suspected blood on it.

Security footage played in court showed the dining and kitchen area at Miriam’s Kitchen, and the detective said the stabbing occurred near a refreshments area off camera.

Witnesses have not identified anyone else as suspects in the case, according to the detective.

During cross-examination, the detective said all of the witnesses faced away from Despertt during the incident, so they did not see who stabbed him. She said three of them named a potential witness who they believe actually saw the stabbing, but MPD has not been able to contact him.

According to court documents, Sierra Perez was detained as a suspect on scene after he was reportedly witnessed with a knife. MPD identified him through the hospital discharge paperwork he had at the time of his arrest dated Feb. 4 with the name “Jose Sierra Perez,” but police found no official identification.

One of the witnesses said without using Sierra Perez’s name that the suspect had come into Miriam’s Kitchen intoxicated before, according to the detective.

The detective said she has no information suggesting the stabbing was an accident or self-defense.

Christen Philips, Sierra Perez’s attorney, asked Judge Ryan not to find probable cause because no witnesses actually saw the stabbing, and police did not run any tests to find out if the substance on the recovered weapon was Despertt’s blood.

A prosecutor said they did not need to find a motive or reason for the stabbing and said the “absence of evidence is evidence,” pointing to a lack of mitigating circumstances.

After Judge Ryan found probable cause, Philips asked him to release Sierra Perez, who is unhoused, to a shelter that was expecting him had he been released. According to Phillips, she located Spanish-speaking substance abuse and mental health care services should Sierra Perez, who only speaks Spanish, need them.

The prosecutor said Sierra Perez poses a flight risk because he has no ties to DC and tried to flee the stabbing scene. He said Sierra Perez is a “very real danger” to society because he “senselessly” killed another unhoused man.

“If there is one place Sierra Perez shouldn’t be, it’s a shelter because that’s where he committed this crime,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Ryan denied Sierra Perez’s release and ordered a mental competency screening upon Philips’ request. To stand trial, Sierra Perez must understand the charges against him and be able to aid his attorney in his defense.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 8.

Defendant Receives Fully Suspended Sentence

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe gave a non-fatal shooting defendant a suspended sentence of six months on March 27.

Jamira Guillory, 24, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, second-degree cruelty to children, carrying a pistol without a license outside a business or home, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for her involvement in a non-fatal shooting at the intersection of 18th and Bryant Street, NE on Aug. 24, 2025.

She pleaded guilty Jan. 20 to carrying a pistol without a license outside a business or home for her involvement.

The prosecutor requested a suspended sentence of 15 months with 18 months of supervised probation. According to the prosecution, a five-year-old child was in the backseat of the car, which she said is concerning.

The prosecution also requested that Judge Pipe order mental health assessments as part of Guillory’s probation conditions.

Guillory’s attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, asked Judge Pipe to sentence her client under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows people under 25 who are convicted of certain crimes to have their convictions sealed or cleared after they successfully complete their sentence and potentially offers sentencing flexibility.

Sapirstein asked Judge Pipe to sentence Guillory at the bottom of the sentencing guidelines: six months suspended.

Sapirstein said Guillory has done community service in the past when applying for college, so she is familiar with the work that the YRA requires. Also, Sapirstein agreed with Judge Pipe that Guillory would benefit from mental health services.

“I’m sorry,” Guillory said to Judge Pipe.

Judge Pipe acknowledged that Guillory had no criminal history and was eligible for the YRA. As a result, Judge Pipe sentenced her to a suspended sentence of six months and one year of supervised probation. Guillory must also register as a gun offender in DC.

Requirements of Guillory’s probation include mental health assessments, no possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon and 90 hours of community service.

No further dates were set.

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