9-Year-Old Victim’s Mother Tearfully Describes Fatal Fire

A mother testified about her son’s his death in a fire linked to longstanding rental code violations, before a jury and DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Feb. 5.

James Walker, 61, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the deaths of 40-year-old Fitsum Getachew Kebede and nine-year-old Yafet Solomen at the 700 block of Kennedy Street, NW. Solomen and Kebede were transported to the area hospital with life threatening injuries on Aug. 18, 2019. Kebede succumbed to his injuries on the same day, and Solomen on Aug. 20, 2019.

The prosecutors told the jury that the defendant was the property’s landlord who converted it from a pharmacy into a residential rental space. They claimed that Walker had 26 fire code violations in total and chose to ignore them, stating “he knew what he built.”

With the help of two Amharic interpreters, Solomen’s mother told of her journey from South Africa carrying him on her back through multiple countries before reaching the U.S. in search of a better life for her son.

The witness testified to renting a basement room from Walker that had no windows, smoke detectors, or smoke alarms, where she lived with Solomen during the time of the incident.

Kebede lived in a separate room on the same level. The witness described Kebede as a quiet church devotee whom she trusted to watch over her son. She described Solomen as a smart, open-minded nine-year-old that deeply cared for his mother and had dreams of becoming a lawyer.

On the day of the incident, the witness was at work when she received a phone call from Walker informing her of a fire and that Solomen had been taken to a children’s hospital. Through tears, she described rushing to the hospital, where she found her son unresponsive. Despite efforts to save him, he later succumbed to his injuries.

Overcome with emotion, she broke down in tears as the prosecution presented a blown up picture of Solomen, repeatedly crying, “My son.”

A toxicologist testified about his examination of the victims. Kebede’s screening revealed the highest possible level of a blood product consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning, typical in fire victims.

Prosecutors also called on an employee from the DC Department of Buildings, who testified Walker had several certificates of occupancy and a home occupation permit, but nothing for the rooms he rented out.

An eyewitness who attempted to help get the victims out of the building testified he used a pipe to pry open the exterior gate with bystanders and police. The witness stated he “heard a loud boom” and a “little boy hollering” once he arrived on scene.

A responding Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer additionally took the stand, stating he heard intense banging and screaming within the property, stating it “sounded like anguish.” The MPD officer noted the absence of smoke alarms or beeping noises during the fire.

Trial is set to resume Feb. 6.

Prosecution Says Drive-By Shooting Defendant, ‘Left a Trail of Evidence’

Prosecutors say a murder suspect left incriminating evidence behind in opening statements of a murder trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Feb. 4.

Terrance Stoney, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Donte Tiller, 43. The shooting occurred at the intersection of Naylor Road and Southern Avenue, SE, on March 17, 2023.

“The defendant drove away, yes, but he left a trail of evidence connecting it to him,” said prosecutors in their opening statements. According to the prosecution, Stoney was in a silver Infiniti registered to his girlfriend when he allegedly fired 13 shots at Tiller at an intersection, though a motive has not been revealed.

Prosecutors argued that the cell site data indicated that Stoney was near the site of the incident at the time of the shooting, and the fact that the car used by the perpetrator is registered under Stoney’s girlfriend’s name is enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Stoney is the shooter.

Defense attorney Nikki Lotze argued that Stoney was never in the silver Infiniti on the day of the incident and had no motive to kill Tiller. Lotze insisted there is no evidence that Stoney had ever interacted with Tiller, and claimed that he was working during the incident.

Lotze also pointed out the prosecution’s failure to investigate the witness who talked to a person sitting in the passenger seat in Tiller’s car. According to court documents, a nearby witness parked behind Tiller’s vehicle claims to have seen a passenger leave the vehicle and transfer items from the car to the apartment complex. The witness talked to the passenger, who told the witness to call 911 as the driver, Tiller, was dead.

The defense insisted there is no evidence or witness that can demonstrate Stoney was in the Infiniti the day of the incident.

Lotze also argued that there is no evidence that he was in possession of a gun or left identifying DNA, or fingerprints, was observed in surveillance footage, or precisely located by GPS at the scene.

Stoney’s girlfriend testified that the reason the car was registered under her name is issues with his license. She claimed that when she first was told about the incident by detectives, she decided to report the car as stolen.

Stoney’s boss, who considers him a friend, testified about the validity of two work receipts. The first receipt was time-stamped for 9:35 a.m. while the second had no time mark, indicating that Stoney had worked in the morning prior to the incident’s taking place at 1:55 p.m.

The victim’s mother described Tiller as a “family man” who often organized gatherings.

Parties are to reconvene on Feb. 5.

Stabbing Defendant May Withdraw From Plea Deal

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe postponed a status hearing for a stabbing defendant who is considering withdrawing his plea on Feb. 5.

Carlton Davis, 48, previously pleaded guilty to assault with a significant bodily injury for stabbing a victim’s hand with a pair of scissors on July 13, 2024, on the 200 block of 35th Street, SE.

Ferguson Evans, Davis’ attorney, informed Judge Pipe that Davis is reconsidering his plea that was accepted by DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Aug. 28, 2024.

Evans also informed Judge Pipe that he did not have this case on his today schedule, and requested a short continuance to discuss the plea offer with Davis.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 11.

Case Acquitted: Defense Tries to Discredit Police Witness in A Homicide, Prosecution Challenges Suspect’s Investigation as Hearsay

Editor’s note: Aaron Murchison was acquitted of all charges by a jury on Feb. 11, 2025.

The lawyer for a homicide defendant attacked the credibility of an investigating police officer based on past misconduct issues in a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on Feb. 5.

Aaron Murchison, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Jamontate Brown on Oct. 16, 2022, on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE.

When cross-examined by Kevann Gardner the detective admitted he wasn’t involved beyond identification of the defendant.

Gardner homed in on conduct violations against the detective regarding his use of a body-worn camera. According to Gardner, the detective had eight body-worn camera conduct violations in the ten years he was assigned to patrol duty.

Gardner also called on a Public Defender Service (PDS) investigator assigned to the Murchison case to testify on Murchison’s behalf.

The investigator took pictures of the scene, reviewed body-worn camera footage, and went inside the apartment where Murchison was allegedly staying in on the night of the incident.

Prosecutors repeatedly objected to the testimony as irrelevant and hearsay – information received from someone else that cannot be adequately substantiated.

Finally, Judge Dayson dismissed the jury early, stating “I don’t want to sit here all day going through these objections.”

Once the jury left, the prosecution argued the investigator was assigned to the case two years after the incident occurred, therefore any information she knew about the case was second hand

Although she acknowledged the hearsay allegations, Judge Dayson denied the prosecution’s request, allowing the investigator to continue as a witness. Due to time constraints, she will continue her testimony on Feb. 6.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 6.

Defense Motions to Suppress Witness Identification in Homicide

Defense attorneys in a homicide case filed a motion to suppress identification of the defendant in front of DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Jan. 31.

Jerome Israel, 19, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and two counts of destruction of property, for his alleged involvement in the death of ChaQuan Barbett, 24, on Aug. 23, 2022. The incident occurred on the 2300 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE.

On Dec. 23, Janai Reed and Lisbeth Saperstein, Israel’s attorneys, filed a motion to suppress the identification of Israel as the suspect, which was provided by a witness to the police. According to the attorneys, the witness who provided the identification told officers he’d be eager to help them with identifying other homicide suspects if he was released from jail.

The prosecution called a member of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), who was a homicide detective working the case. The officer helped introduce video evidence of the witness’s statements about the identity of the suspect. Multiple interviews with the witness were entered into evidence. Pictures shown to the witness during the interviews were also included

The defense argued the individual presented in these pictures did not match the defendant, citing differences in facial hair and complexion.

Parties had to break for time and are slated to resume Feb 12.

DNA Testing In Process for Non-Fatal Shooting Case

Parties in a shooting case consented to DNA testing of evidence by a laboratory outside of the judicial system before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Feb. 4.

Anthony Goncalves, 52, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, aggravated assault knowingly while armed against a minor, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 29, 2023 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

Goncalves’ attorney, Christen Philips, announced in November that they were working on setting up the testing, with the official court order filed on Jan 28.

During the hearing, the defense stated they would like to verify the prosecution’s forensic findings by having their own experts examine and analyze the evidence.

The prosecution agreed to send the evidence to the laboratory for re-testing.

Parties are set to reconvene on March 4.

Defendant Accepts Guilty Plea, Denied Release

A shooting defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Jan. 31.

Devaughn Branham, 22, was originally charged with endangerment with a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in two shootings that occurred on Nov. 7, 2024 on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, and on the 500 block of Parkland Place, SE.

During the hearing, Madhuri Swarna, Branham’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to accept a plea deal, which required him to plead guilty to carrying a pistol without a license, in exchange of a dismissal of all other charges and the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

Then she asked that the court consider his release. Swarna attested that Branham would be under 24 hour supervision if released to live with his mother, who is disabled and confined to her home. Before his arrest, Branham was his mother’s primary caregiver.

Judge Di Toro denied the request for release, citing the seriousness of the offense.

Swarna additionally requested that a Youth Act Study be conducted at the DC Jail, as Branham qualifies for The District’s Youth Rehabilitation Act. The Youth Act allows for a young defendant’s conviction to be sealed if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements.

Sentencing is set for March 13.

Domestic Violence Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A shooting defendant, charged in connection to a domestic violence disturbance, pleaded not guilty to all charges before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Feb. 5.

Keondre Carroll, 22, is charged with endangerment with a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, two counts of destroying property, and assault, for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on Dec. 28, 2023, on the 100 block of T Street, NE. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, Carroll allegedly shot a gun inside an apartment complex hallway following a dispute with his ex-girlfriend.

During the hearing, Raymond Jones, Carroll’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to all charges, and asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.

Prosecutors told Judge Di Toro they are in plea negotiations, but it has been slowed down due to another case in which Carroll case is charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other counts, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 59-year-old Raymond Ballard on Jan. 23, 2024 on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

The prosecution stated they would allow Carroll another continuance to further consider the plea deal, but that it would expire at the next hearing. No details were shared regarding the terms of the agreement.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 5.

Judge Denies Motion for Acquittal in Murder Case

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied a request that a co-defendant be acquitted during a homicide trial on Feb. 4.

Ronald Wallace, 48, and DeAngelo Glover, 30, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Tyrone Wright on Jan. 19, 2021, on the 3700 block of Hayes Street, NE.

During the hearing, Wallace’s attorney, Michael Bruckheim, requested that Wallace be acquitted on all charges, arguing that a reasonable jury could not infer that Wallace was the perpetrator through the evidence provided by the prosecution. However, Judge Park denied this motion.

“I cannot say it would be so unreasonable that the jury convicts Wallace,” Judge Park said.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 5.

Case Acquitted: Number of Guns Involved in Fatal Shooting Questioned

Editor’s note: Aaron Murchison was acquitted of all charges by a jury on Feb. 11, 2025.

A homicide trial continued on Feb. 4, with three expert witnesses testifying in front of DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson. One area of contention was the number of guns linked to the crime.

Aaron Murchison, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Jamontate Brown, 32, on Oct. 16, 2022, on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE.

The prosecution and defense counsel debated potential implicit prejudicial bias in new photo evidence, which Kevann Gardner, Murchison’s attorney, claims unnecessarily depicts the defendant and known affiliates with drugs and profanity.

An expert witness, forensic firearm and toolmark examiner, testified to his role in processing the ballistic evidence recovered from the crime scene and identifying characteristics consistent with being fired from the same weapon.

Based on his ammunition analysis conducted on the collected bullet fragments and cartridge, the witness concluded there were at least 10 firearms associated with the recovered ammunition.

Gardner emphasized that ballistic evidence suggested a total of 30 possible firearms connected to the incident. The witness confirmed he was unable to say to a degree of certainty that a casing or fragment was fired from a particular firearm.

The witness also reviewed a crime scene map highlighting the location of collected evidence and confirmed it was created by the prosecution. Gardner argued that this map was problematic because the prosecution was able to choose which items to group together which he said created a misleading portrayal of the number of firearms involved.

Gardner raised the possibility of the ballistic evidence being accidentally disturbed by civilians between the time of the crime and the time of police canvassing.

A specialist from the US Attorneys Office, responsible for reviewing video and technological evidence, compiled a time sequence of security camera footage of the crime scene and surrounding area during the time of the incident.

Defense attorney Bernadette Armand noted the lack of footage covering locations next to the crime scene. The witness confirmed he didn’t have security camera footage for the nearby areas.

Armand also noted there was no video evidence of Murchison shooting a firearm.

Trial is set to resume Feb. 5.

‘Listen to Their Screams. Listen to Them Fall Silent,’ Prosecutors Tell Jury of Deadly Fire

Parties delivered opening statements, and multiple witnesses testified in connection to a deadly fire and linked to more than two dozen rental code violations, before a jury and DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Feb. 4.

James Walker, 66, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter for his alleged involvement in a fire that caused the deaths of 40-year-old Fitsum Kebede and nine-year-old Yafet Solomen at the 700 block of Kennedy Street, NW, on Aug. 18, 2019.

According to court documents, Solomen and Kebede were transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. Kebede succumbed to his injuries on the same day, and Solomen on Aug. 20, 2019.

“Listen to their screams. Listen to them fall silent,” the prosecution said in opening statements, claiming that on the night of the fire the victims were trapped inside the property’s basement due to a locked metal gate where they “couldn’t breathe, couldn’t fight, but still screamed for help.”

According to the prosecution, there were no smoke alarms in the basement or bedrooms, no fire escape routes in the building, and no functional fire sprinklers. They claimed “he knew people could be trapped,” but didn’t fix the issues.

Prosecutors said that on March 21, 2019, police responded to the complex for a domestic dispute between tenants. A responding officer was concerned about the living conditions in the building and filed a report to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) and the fire department, according to the prosecution.

Prosecutors stated that body-worn camera footage will confirm the exchange between the responding officer and Walker in which they spoke about the building’s code violations.

Prosecutors also told the jury to “pay attention to everything responders did to try to get inside, and how hard it was to get in and out of the building,” on the night of the incident. They stated that there was only 12-and-a-half feet between firefighters and the victims, but it took firefighters 11-and-a-half minutes to reach them– ultimately getting there too late.

During his opening statements, Elliot Queen, Walker’s defense attorney, stated that the evidence will show that the responding officer on March 21, 2019 told the defendant that his violations will be reported to DCRA for inspection. However, even after two follow-up emails from the officer, the DCRA never inspected the property.

The defense acknowledged that the violations mentioned by the prosecution were cited after the fire occurred.

However, Queen told the jury that Walker is entitled to receive notice and the opportunity for inspection, which didn’t happen. He stated “DCRA failed Mr. Walker by not telling him what he needed to correct.”

Additionally, Queen said that the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) experienced a four-minute delay in dispatching the fire emergency response team, when it should take 63 seconds. He stated “four minutes in a fire is pretty much a lifetime.”

The defense referred to Walker as “the scapegoat,” for the prosecution, who he claimed wanted to “get all the attention off of them.”

Following opening statements, a firefighter that responded the night of the incident confirmed there were no smoke alarms or fire exit signs, and stated that his team had to use a saw to open a locked metal security door to reach the victims inside.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who investigated the domestic dispute on March 21, 2019 testified that even without training in fire codes, he was able to recognize many potential code violations. The officer testified he called on his partner, who is cross-trained in DCRA and fire code violations, to come to the property and file a report.

The officer’s partner, who then filed the code violation report, told the jury that when responding to his partner’s call, he asked Walker for his Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in order to prove that the DCRA knew about his rental property.

The defendant gave the officer a C of O for the pharmacy, but the officer alerted Walker they must be updated when the use of a property changes. The witness alleged that the defendant did not have permission to have rental units in the building.

Body camera footage showed the officer asking Walker “what would happen if a fire broke out?” to which the defendant laughed and responded “jump out the window and everybody gotta pray to God,” that was eight months before the deadly fire broke out.

The footage also showed the officer telling Walker that he was being cited for code violations, and the DCRA would come out and assess the property.

The witness confirmed that he sent two follow up emails to the DCRA and fire department regarding the inspection, as well as inquiring about it in person, but never found out if an inspection ever occurred.

An MPD detective who responded to the scene after the incident testified observed no functioning smoke alarms or detectors in the basement, where most of the damage occurred. He also stated that the many doors located in the building required keys to open, easily locking the victims inside the basement level and endangering the tenants in the rest of the building.

The witness told the jury that there were allegedly many electrical hazards, including an extension chord that was plugged into multiple kitchen appliances. Most rooms reportedly had no smoke alarms, and some had no ventilation or even windows. The building had one fire exit sign that was not functioning on the night of the incident, according to the detective.

Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 5.

Case Acquitted: Analyst Describes Gunshot Damage to Murder Victim’s Car

Editor’s note: Aaron Murchison was acquitted of all charges by a jury on Feb. 11, 2025.

A crime analyst who collected evidence from a murder victim’s car testified in a trial on Feb. 3, before DC Superior court Judge Danya Dayson.

Aaron Murchison, 28, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Jamontate Brown, 32, on Oct. 16, 2022, on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE.

Prosecutors called a forensic scientist who processed a vehicle found at the scene. According to court documents, the vehicle, believed to be Brown’s, showed visible gunshot damage on the driver’s side. The witness testified to defects or bullet holes on a car window and doors in addition to projectiles found inside. She took biological samples from the car but obtained no latent fingerprints.

Kevann Gardner, Murchison’s attorney, confirmed with the witness that none of the items tested were linked to the defendant.

The trial will resume on Feb. 4.

Shooting Defendant Waives DNA Testing as Prosecution Seeks Evidence

A shooting defendant accused of multiple felonies waived his right to independently test DNA evidence before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on Feb. 4.

Andrew Black, 51, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 4600 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW on Sept. 9, 2023. One person was injured.

During the hearing, the prosecution told the court that they haven’t recovered or tested any physical evidence. They said they never found the firearm and sent a subpoena to the hospital for bullet fragments but are waiting for a response.

After answering several obligatory questions by Judge Dayson, Black waived his right to independently test DNA evidence. Judge Dayson stated that she was satisfied that his decision was made freely and voluntarily.

Parties are expected to reconvene on May 14.

Mother Detained As Supect in Daughter’s Stabbing

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann denied a stabbing defendant’s request for release, after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing on Feb. 5.

Charmece Morrison, 44, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, for her alleged involvement in a Dec. 10, 2024 stabbing incident on the 2700 block of Douglas Place, SE that wounded her 20-year old daughter.

According to court documents, the incident stemmed from a disagreement, during which Morrison allegedly pointed a gun at her daughter, who was holding her one-month-old child. The argument culminated with Morrison’s cutting her daughter’s right arm with a kitchen knife.

During the hearing, Kyle McGonical, Morrison’s attorney, alerted the court of her intent to waive a preliminary hearing, and requested she be released pending further proceedings.

The prosecution stated that due to her extensive criminal history and the nature and circumstances of the crime, Morrison should be detained for the safety of the community and her family.

The defense rebutted, describing the situation as “clearly a substance abuse problem,” and emphasized that Morrison is in a mental health treatment program. “She’s a survivor,” McGonigal said.

Judge Herrmann found Morrison to be unfit for release and scheduled her to return to court on Feb. 21.

Stabbing Case Dismissed For Lack of Probable Cause

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann dismissed a stabbing defendant’s case following a ruling there was insufficient evidence in a Feb. 5 hearing.

Crevante Holt, 54, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on Sept. 20, 2024, on the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW. Holt sustained injuries during the incident.

According to court documents, the incident stemmed from the victim, who shared a child with Holt’s daughter, refusing to return the child to the family as ordered by the court. The incident escalated, and Holt sustained an injury to his arm.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, testified it was difficult to determine what had occurred when police arrived on scene. The officer described Holt as distraught and bleeding from a stab wound in his upper arm. Holt was running and claimed someone had stabbed him, according to the officer.

According to the prosecution, the victim claimed Holt was attempting to stab him and injured himself accidentally in the process. They insisted Holt was trying to “flip the narrative,” arguing that Holt was the primary aggressor.

The officer acknowledged the two different stories and said she didn’t know what had really happened before she arrived on scene. Later, the officer said Holt told police he had been stabbed.

When Holt’s attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, asked the officer how she determined Holt was the aggressor when he was the one wounded, she corrected part of her testimony saying it was “a mistake”

Judge Herrmann determined the evidence was weak but left the door open for further action.

“I’m not convinced she [the witness] made a mistake,” said the Judge, who dismissed the case without prejudice – allowing the prosecution to refile the charges Holt if they get enough evidence.

There are no further dates scheduled for this case.

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