Judge Excludes Witness Aiming to Impeach Key Prosecution Witness

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park refused to allow the testimony of a witness called in by Steven Kiersh, defense attorney for Alonzo Brown, during court proceedings on May 19.

Brown, 28, and Naquel Henderson, 27, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in the shooting that killed 21-year-old Michael Taylor and injured two additional victims on Jan. 12, 2019, on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.

Brown and Henderson are two of five men charged with Taylor’s death. Stephon Evans, 24, and Tavist Alston, 31, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in 2022. Carlos Turner, 27, is scheduled for sentencing on June 5, following a guilty plea to undisclosed charges.

At trial, Kiersh proposed calling a pharmacologist to testify that requests made by a key prosecution witness for prescription medication in jail didn’t seem substantiated by the witness’ blood test results. Kiersh said he intended to use this testimony to impeach the credibility of the prosecution’s witness by showing the witness didn’t accurately report the person’s need for medication.

“To my mind, all these issues are of vanishingly little relevance to [the witness’] truthfulness,” Judge Park said.

Judge Park allowed the defense to introduce into evidence certain medical records that contradicted what the witness said about their past drug use while testifying in trial last week.

Julie Swaney, a defense attorney for Henderson, called a witness who testified to knowing Henderson for the past ten years. The witness said Henderson was a friend of his cousin, and the three of them often got together at his cousin’s residence in the Trinidad neighborhood.

The witness said he knew Henderson by the nickname of “Quel” and never heard the name “Hakim” applied to him. A key prosecution witness testified last week that he knew Henderson as “Hakim.”

Parties are set to reconvene on May 20.

Stabbing Suspect Nixes Testing of DNA Evidence

Christopher Moore waived his right to independently test DNA evidence with the assistance of his attorney, Sellano Simmons, at a court hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on May 16.

Moore, 31, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, threat to kidnap or injure a person, assault with intent to kill while armed, and aggravated assault knowingly while armed. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that left one person injured on March 1, 2024, on the 700 block of 15th Street, NE.

The prosecution informed the court that they don’t intend to test any physical evidence collected in this case for DNA.

According to arrest documents, surveillance video footage of the incident showed four individuals chasing the victim, then attacking him after he fell to the ground.

Court documents state that a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective identified Moore as one of the attackers. The identification was based on body-worn-camera footage from an earlier incident, in which MPD officers arrested Moore as he assaulted the same victim.

Moore allegedly told officers the victim killed his father, 53-year-old Christopher King, who was stabbed to death on Feb. 24, 2024, at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Bladensburg Road, NE.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Sept. 12.

Shooter Takes a Plea, Denied Release in Long-standing Beef

Terry McNeal, 44, stood before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on May 19 and accepted a guilty plea for a shooting based on a longstanding grudge.

In accepting the prosecution’s offer to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license, McNeal avoided an indictment and other sanctions that could enhance his punishment. The prosecution is recommending sentencing at the bottom third of the guidelines.

According to court documents, McNeal followed the victim as he was driving and fired several shots into the air on Feb. 2, 2024 on the 2400 block of H Street, SE. This was apparently the culmination of a longstanding dispute between the two.The victim allegedly had a romantic relationship with McNeal’s wife some seven years ago.

Given the evidence, in particular, that the victim knew and could identify McNeal, he was arrested and charged. Cell phone data also placed him in the area of the shooting.

The prosecutor, in his proffer to the court, said McNeal would have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt had the case gone to trial. Police records note that there were additional shots fired after the initial discharge. There were no reported injuries.

If convicted, McNeal could have faced a maximum of ten years jail time on the assault charge, and a year for the weapons count.

McNeal’s attorney, Matthew Davies, asked Judge Hertzfeld to release McNeal pending disposition because “he’s an excellent candidate for supervised release,” and this is an opportunity to show that he can follow court instructions.

The prosecutor was opposed and the judge agreed.

“This is an incredibly serious offense,” said Judge Hertzfeld. She ordered a presentencing report and set the date for July 17.

Suspect in Murder, Robbery Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

David Key was arraigned on four charges and pleaded not guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on May 16.

Key, 38, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, first-degree murder while armed while committing or attempting to commit a robbery, robbery while armed, and carrying a dangerous weapon outside his home or place of business. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 33-year-old Devon Greenfield on April 1, 2024, on the 300 block of 61st Street, NE.

Key’s attorney, Howard McEachern, alerted the court that Key intended to plead not guilty to all charges and asserted his constitutional rights.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 26.

Murder, Armed Robbery Defendant Waives Right to Test For DNA

Jaime Macedo waived his right to independently test DNA evidence with the assistance of his attorney, Jessica Willis, at a court hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on May 16.

Macedo, 24, is charged with felony murder while armed, robbery while armed, 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 the fatal shooting of Maxwell Emerson, 25, on July 5, 2023. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE, on the campus of Catholic University.

According to police documents, Emerson’s family told police they were visiting DC so Emerson, a teacher, could attend a program offered by the Library of Congress. The family member received a text from Emerson minutes before the shooting that read, “Help. Being robbed. At gun point.”

Arrest records state that surveillance camera footage showed Emerson walking from the Brookland CUA Metro Station to the scene of the shooting with his hands raised, while an individual identified as Macedo walked behind him. When the suspect tried to snatch something from Emerson, the footage showed Emerson tackling him.

According to court documents, Emerson died of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Arrest documents report that the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) connected DNA from a ski mask found at the scene of the shooting to Macedo.

Parties in this case are next scheduled to meet on Aug. 1.

Assault Defendant Rejects Plea Offer

Alvin Thomas, Jr., the defense attorney for Demarco Bates, informed the court that his client was rejecting a plea offer extended by the prosecution at a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on May 16.

Bates, 28, is charged with four counts of assault with intent to kill, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, two counts of destruction of property worth less than $1,000, and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on April 10, 2024, on the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE. Two individuals sustained injuries during the incident.

According to the prosecutor, the plea offer would have required Bates to plead guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In return, the prosecution would have agreed to limit their sentencing request to eight-and-a-half-to-10 years in prison.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for June 6.

Judge Demands Police Video of 2-Year-Old’s Murder Account

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz instructed the prosecution to share the video of police interviewing a two-year-old child about the alleged murder of her grandfather by her father during a court hearing on May 16.

De’Angelo Goldston, 37, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting of his father, 61-year-old Darryl Smith, on Feb. 4 on the 1000 block of First Street, SE.

Goldston’s attorney, Kevin Mosley said the prosecution’s most important witness is Goldston’s two-year-old daughter. He asked the prosecution to give him access to the video of the police interview of the child so he can challenge its use as evidence.

Mosley said a police detective testified at Goldston’s preliminary hearing that he didn’t know where Goldston’s child was at the time of the shooting. Mosley wants to see if there is any indication from the interview whether the child saw the shooting firsthand.

Mosley said he has also heard that the child said the police shot Goldston when they arrested him. Since that’s factually incorrect, Mosley wants to challenge the child’s reliability as a witness.

Mosley asked to see the video for himself so he can learn exactly what was said and in what context, instead of being limited to isolated pieces of information shared by the prosecution.

The prosecution objected to sharing the video on the grounds that the investigation of the murder is ongoing.

“I would expect an immense amount of influence and pressure to be applied against this child,” the prosecutor said. She noted that approximately a dozen family members have written letters to the court in support of Goldston.

Mosley said there hasn’t been any evidence of undue pressure by Goldston or his family members toward the child.

Judge Kravitz told the prosecutor to provide him with the video of the interview so he can assess how appropriate it is to use the child’s testimony as evidence in the case.

“My sense is that a four-year-old is close to the lower end of what could be permitted,” Kravitz said, referring to his past experience of allowing a young child to testify at trial.

The prosecutor objected to characterizing the child as their most important witness in the case. She told the court that another family member was with Goldston, his daughter and his father before the shooting occurred.

According to the prosecutor, the family member left the apartment and returned to find Goldston’s father dead. The family member got help from the neighbors to call 911, leading to Goldston’s arrest at the scene of the incident.

Mosley said the family member was absent from the apartment for approximately 40 minutes around the time of the shooting.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for June 27.

Document: Police Arrest 3 Juveniles in Non-fatal Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced that on May 19, three juveniles absconded from a Pennsylvania facility, stole a red 2016 Land Rover, and returned to Washington, D.C., where they were involved in a robbery and shooting on the 700 block of 8th Street, NE, leaving 1 surviving victim with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspects fled in the stolen SUV, leading to a police pursuit and the arrest of three individuals, including one absconder, who were charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and robbery.

MPD continues to search for the two remaining absconders.

Document: Police Investigate Shooting that Leaves 1 Dead, 1 Injured

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on May 18 on the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE.

Ryan Matthews, 36, was found deceased from gunshot wounds, and there is one surviving victim who is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Police Investigate Homicide in Southwest DC

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on May 17 on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW.

The victim, identified as 32-year-old Christopher Rashad Riles, was found with gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead at a hospital. The case remains under investigation.

Document: Police Investigate Homicide in Northeast DC

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on May 16 in Northeast, Washington, D.C.

Officers responded to gunshots in the rear of the 1200 block of Meigs Place, NE and found 17-year-old Naquan Johnson, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation revealed the offense took place in the rear of the 1200 block of Holbrook Terrace, NE.

Judge Denies Suspected Jail Stabber’s Release in ‘Incredibly Troubling’ Case

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman denied a stabbing defendant’s request for release during an arraignment on May 16.

Keimontay Holston, 22, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and first-degree burglary while armed for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of another inmate at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Jan. 2.

Damon Catacalos, Holston’s defense attorney, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to all charges, asserting his constitutional rights, and requested he be released as he awaits further proceedings.

According to Catacalos, Holston, who is serving a sentence for a gun possession case, has no criminal history and would comply with any release conditions.

The prosecution objected, stating there has been no change in circumstances for the case, other than his indictment. According to the prosecution, Holston allegedly hung around the victim’s cell, waiting for another inmate to be transported. When the cell was unlocked to let the other inmate in, Holston allegedly broke into the victim’s cell, where he was in his bunk with the lights out, and stabbed him 10 times with an eight inch long homemade knife.

The prosecution insisted the “weight of the evidence is incredibly strong,” adding this is an “incredibly troubling,” case.

“This is an overwhelming case,” Judge Edelman stated, adding Holston “hasn’t been an adult very long.” Judge Edelman denied the request for release.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 2.

Judge Won’t Dismiss Murder Case for Prosecution’s Failure to Indict

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman denied a homicide defendant’s request to dismiss his case for “want of prosecution,” during a hearing on May 16.

Karim Ibrahim, 22, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Javonni Coleman on Jan. 16, 2024 on the 2400 block of S Street, SE.

Kevin Mosley, Ibrahim’s attorney, filed a motion to dismiss his case for want of prosecution, or the prosecution’s failure to actively pursue or indict the case. Through the motion, Mosley argued that Ibrahim’s right to a speedy trial has been violated, due to the prosecution’s failure to indict the case within the nine month deadline from the day of Ibrahim’s arrest.

According to Judge Edelman, the deadline was May 8, but the prosecution filed a motion to extend the date on May 5.

Mosley argued the prosecution has “no good reason why they’ve waited,” so long to work on the case.

The prosecution wanted an extension until Aug. 8 to indict the case, but Judge Edelman denied that request. However, he allowed them until May 21.

Parties are slated to reconvene May 22.

Document: Police Search of Suspects in Armed Carjacking Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in identifying two suspects involved in armed carjackings in Northwest DC.

On May 4, officers responded to incidents on the 1900 block of 12th Street, NW, and the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE, where suspects used a handgun to assault a victim and steal a vehicle, and in another instance, demanded money before fleeing.

Surveillance images of the suspects have been released to aid in their identification.

Document: Police Investigate Fatal Shooting on Elvans Road

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 14 on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE.

The victim, identified as 32-year-old Ricky Jones of Southeast, D.C., was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.